I feel like I have a different perspective than this article. I don't see any problem with how the cottage cheese problem was solved. I feel like most learning

I feel like I have a different perspective than this article. I don't see any problem with how the cottage cheese problem was solved. I feel like most learning is part building a mental model, part rote memorization, and part practicing their interaction. I understand how multiplication works, but memorized my times tables to make harder problems much easier. I practiced multiplying 3 or 4 digit numbers to see them interact. The way people solved the cottage cheese problem shows they understand how fractions work. They just don't use them enough to warrant multiplying fractions and reducing the result. If they were dealing with that problem every day, they would use more efficient solutions. People that work in construction are very good at certain types of math. People working on 3d software are usually good with different types of math like trig or linear algebra. Having a general knowledge helps us muddle through rare problems or have a base to learn more specific types of math.