Thread: Why is math hard?

In elementary school I loved doing math problems with my mother, but I hated math class because I thought it was boring and I already knew the stuff(because my mother had taught me before the school covered the material). I have no idea whether this was true, but I remember assuming that all of my elementary school teachers hated math themselves. By middle and high school, I liked math better because the classes started covering material I didn't already know and because the teachers didn't seem to hate the subject matter. In college, I've liked stats. In college, calculus is interesting; I'd like it better if it didn't mess up my GPA

In the California state University system, 54% of the incoming freshman were required to take at least one remedial math class according to this article:

[url="http://www.calstate.edu/pa/news/1999/BOTRemed.shtml"]http://www.calstate.edu/pa/news/1999/BOTRemed.shtml[/url]

I think it is hard. For students there are alternatives to studying for many subjects. Like history, if your not a good understander then just memorize it. If your bad at science you could also memorize it. There is no way someone could memorize math, there is always going to be a question they have not memorized. Math makes you think a different way, and those not used to studyting like that will hate it and will eventually either fail, or they could pass, but they most probably will never end up liking it in the end.

Originally Posted by Josh

I think it is hard. For students there are alternatives to studying for many subjects. Like history, if your not a good understander then just memorize it. If your bad at science you could also memorize it. There is no way someone could memorize math, there is always going to be a question they have not memorized. Math makes you think a different way, and those not used to studyting like that will hate it and will eventually either fail, or they could pass, but they most probably will never end up liking it in the end.

Memorize it? A good history or science class makes you think, not memorize. Same with math I guess. I found it very difficult, memorizing the steps and rules to get by. Finally, it clicked and algebra became very simple.

Many students with trouble learning and/or bad teachers sit there, if their studious enough, and memorize facts in history and science. With math it is so hard to memorize becuase memorizing questions and answers will not help you know the test. Although one would be able to memorize history and science facts and do well on the tests.

Originally Posted by Josh

Many students with trouble learning and/or bad teachers sit there, if their studious enough, and memorize facts in history and science. With math it is so hard to memorize becuase memorizing questions and answers will not help you know the test. Although one would be able to memorize history and science facts and do well on the tests.

Not mine. I require thought. Cause/effect analysis, application, and interpretation. IMO if everything is strictly knowledge based then the job isn't getting done. However, I agree that memorizing the procedure in math will only help you so far. One has to be able to apply that procedure to be successful.

I have always found that the more creative a student is the harder they find math. I guess it's that formulaic vs interpretive clash that gets them. Plus there are those students with a kind of number dyslexia who really struggle.

I have always enjoyed math however I don't like math class because we sit there while the teacher tries to explain why we use certain formulas and why you have to multiply to both terms when there is addition. I get bored so instead of listening I try and come up with how I would teach the material differently but it would require more time and a more full understanding of mathematics in general. Many students just memorize the rules rather than try and understand why these things happen.