[maxbond]

In my experience when I am able to pick something up quickly it's because I can exploit cross domain knowledge. I have ready-made analogies to things I understand, or I understand the domain which informs the fundamentals of the new domain.

[WalterBright]

I was surprised in college that the math for electronics circuits, mass-spring-damper systems, stress of materials, etc., was all the same.

[meetingthrower]

Correct - heuristics - ie, experience, wisdom, etc.