That's exactly how I solved it. I'd consider myself a pretty decent programmer, but I did poorly in algebra and calculus at middle, high school, and university level.
Give me "x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 69" and I wouldn't know where to start. I could probably turn that word problem into that equation, but I would have no idea how to actually solve the equation algebraically.
But given the word problem alone I knew to divide by 3 and add the neighboring numbers. Now, actually dividing by 3 I'd need to use a calculator or spend a lot of time with a pencil and paper, but at least I knew the steps to solve it.
I'm awful at rote math and mental math, which is why I'm thankful I can make the computer do it for me.
Give me "x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 69" and I wouldn't know where to start. I could probably turn that word problem into that equation, but I would have no idea how to actually solve the equation algebraically.
But given the word problem alone I knew to divide by 3 and add the neighboring numbers. Now, actually dividing by 3 I'd need to use a calculator or spend a lot of time with a pencil and paper, but at least I knew the steps to solve it.
I'm awful at rote math and mental math, which is why I'm thankful I can make the computer do it for me.