Even if you were taught and understand the underlying theories, the end result is still applying patterns and formulas to the problem until it yields the answer

Even if you were taught and understand the underlying theories, the end result is still applying patterns and formulas to the problem until it yields the answer. It's all good and well to able to independently derive the formula for (a + b)², but in the end the answer is still (a² + 2ab + b²), and that's all you need to apply the math. Now, I've met my fair share of people who could not problem solve their way out of a paper bag with a pair of scissors. And I would love for generic problem solving to be a focus very early in education. But high school is likely way too late for that, and so I think all this anger with high school math is being misdirected.