"Math", in your somewhat expansive definition, is the "study of patterns". I certainly don't have to study them in order to apply them. You don't have to understand the structure of plant DNA in order to create hybrids. Heck, the most comprehensive plant modification is teosinte to maize (corn) and it was completed within a generation around 5000 years ago. I think that's before Gregor Mendel cross-bred peas.
The point is that some of the best programmers I've ever met had little to no formal training in Math or similar topics. Plus, your definition of Math is better as a definition of Philosophy. :-)
The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good.