Because I started programming before taking maths at school, I didn't properly appreciate equality for a while.

Sure, algebra was fine, a(x+y)=ax+ay can go either way; but not ratios and other relationships.

What helped me was was geometry, where you can see it's just a relationship. All the components move together; one part isn't priviledged as the result.

e.g. you enlarge a circle. It doesn't make sense to ask whether the radius made the circumference bigger, or the circumference made the radius bigger.