there is math, and then there is math. In Russia they have a saying "beat a rabbit long enough and it will eventually learn to take derivatives, but integrals are another matter". For many people areas involving spatial reasoning like college physics for engineers is that "another matter", while (simple) integrals are still no biggie.
As for the original article, the implication that somebody having trouble with basic algebra can be "great scientist" sounds dubious to say the least. Like I said, there is math, and then there is math... there is stuff that anybody claiming any meaningful level of intelligence should be able to handle.
As for the original article, the implication that somebody having trouble with basic algebra can be "great scientist" sounds dubious to say the least. Like I said, there is math, and then there is math... there is stuff that anybody claiming any meaningful level of intelligence should be able to handle.