Good thing I am good at reading maps! If I had to depend on remembering, I would never get out. My short term memory gets worse every year I get older.

You really do not need a lot of math to use a map and compass. You can do it graphically. Each map has a symbol that shows an arrow for north and another arrow for the magnetic declination. Just line up your map using those arrows. Same with setting your compass. The biggest thing is to look at a feature on the map and then find it on the ground. This is a matter of practice. Of course, you need to be with someone who knows how to read maps so they can tell you if you are right or wrong. And the rule of "v"'s. Ridges contours point downhill; valley contours point uphill. The closer the contour lines, the steeper the terrain. You can become a good map reader without knowing much about math. It is like I can be a good driver without knowing exactly how my car works under the hood. I never look under the hood!