I think the problem most programmers have is that they are poor mathematicians.

They approach and algorithm in stages. If they spent the time to do the mathematics they could reduce down the algorithm before they started and avoid such unnecessary busy-work as dividing by a 100,000 factor at one stage.

I've seen programmers do a bunch of convoluted math to load two digits of display characters with a measurement... if they were wiser they would simply map the raw input data into display output and spend no time calculating.

Considering how cheap mathematicians are to hire, I think every programming department should have one around.