I think you are underestimating your DD's math ability. This is easy to do when we are around a lot of people who are good at math. I think it's particularly easy to do with girls. I graduated with a degree in math & went on to work as a computer programmer for many years. In 5th grade none of my so called interests would have made anyone think I was going to take math in university.. I was not considered "mathy" in 5th grade and refused to do any math that was up and above the regular school work. Mostly I loved to read and be out-of-doors, but I did do very well in math without much effort. I ended up one of the few women in the honors math tracks at school. But I wouldn't never have dreamed in H.S. of joining chess club, or computer science club.
Yes, I was trying to point out that this could be possible...also, if another child in the family has extreme math talent, or you do yourself, it's all too easy to consider another child with quite a bit of talent not "mathy." And as bluemagic points out, the long game is hard to see sometimes. This is part of why I feel uncertain about my DD. I may be underestimating her or not seeing the long game. Also, she has been at school with some 99.9 kids for sure.
I have to sit down and explain deeper connections and sometimes even basic principles to her
Perhaps this is the fault of teaching.
