Mathematical ineptness among generally capable people

[Exia91]

I am very good at algebra. Though I fail math all the time.
I am a art person; Languages ( I study English), history, geography and what not, are the subjects I like(d). But nothing conerning any numbers.

I do know, however, the basics of mathematics, economics, banking/accounting etc. I studied Economics, while I didn't like it the slighest.. [sub]fail isn't it. wasting a year on something you do not like, at all[/sub]

 

[Brazilianpeanutwar]

I'm awful at maths.

Fantastic at reading,writing,book things.

I've always been like that,the way i see it is why do i need to learn algebra when i'm out in the world?,it serves no purpose,neither do other maths based problems when you think about it.

The strange thing is i could do algebra for a short while,while the easiest maths problems i struggled with......hmmmm...

 

[Koroviev]

I think much of the mystique surrounding math arises from how we tend to view solving equations as compared to, say, reading. Unlike reading, math is more often than not viewed as a chore. It is something to be finished, not something to be enjoyed. As a result of this, few people do math for fun. And yet, it is essential that one solve numerous and varied equations in order to pick up on the nuances of the mathematical language, just as one must read many books in order to become a proficient reader.

What I propose is this: that mathematical equations be presented as puzzles, not mere assignments. It's not a disguise. If you think about it, math really is about puzzles. It involves arriving at the one and only answer (a good puzzle can have but one) by abiding by a set of rules and applying simple logic to bring complex equations down to size. So long as math is presented as a purely academic endeavor, few are going to excel at it, let alone enjoy it.

 

[Lullabye]

I like to think I'm okay at both. Physics is something I definitely need to work at though.

 

[Fellwarden]

From my experience, I believe that a big reason many people have a hard time learning maths is the way it is taught. All the teachers I've had have done this in what I think is a bad way. They just teach you the formulae and the rules you have to use. They ignore completely why these formulae and rules work. At least for me, I have to understand the concept I'm working with in order to be able to use it. If teachers would just focus more on making the pupils understand instead of just memorizing, I think many people would have a much better time with maths, and many more find it fun and interesting.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

I would be good at maths if I bothered to continue learning it, but I didn't really like in high school, I was pretty rebellious anyway and I preferred English.

Whenever I take the time to utilise that portion of my brain I can usually do mathematic problems of GCSE level at least, but beyond that I just don't see a need for it. I've never actually needed to use anything besides simple addition, multiplication, subtraction and division in my life, so I don't see why I should hold onto the knowledge of anything else.

Also, I don't think mathematic adeptness should have anything to do with capability, the same way I don't actually believe that linguistics has anything to do with it. I know mathematicians who can barely form a simple sentence, but I wouldn't describe them as incapable, and I've known people on my English course who couldn't even add big numbers in their head, but they're not any less capable.

Keep the skills you need in life, and in a world where calculators are built into everything and more and more communication is held online or via some sort of technology the base GCSE skill-set is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

On a somewhat related note of my last point, the idea that we need to learn maths science and english to a certain point is utterly pointless. I knew at 14 I wasn't going to be a scientist, so the next two years of science lessons were wasted, no matter how well I did, and I also knew all the maths I've needed so far in life, so the same for maths lessons. Stupid arbitrary curriculum.

 

[subfield]

I think its because maths is taught so poorly. Most people in this thread, even if they are college educated, haven't the slightest idea what math is.

The saga of horror generally begins in high school. People "start at the middle" as Feynmann said. They begin with unwarranted assumptions like "if you've got this number and that number and add them together, you get another!". To a kid, this is like magic. In fact - it really is!!

If you study deeply the foundations of mathematics, you will find that there are long and complex arguments for even the most "obvious" things. The best part is - these arguments themselves are extremely difficult to follow. This is how mathematics should be approached: with skepticism of everything that you don't completely grasp, and even more skepticism for what you think you do.

 

[Sprinal]

Personally, I am a whiz a math. I am 2 grades ahead in math, and still keeping an A.

Well that is alright but when you get to the higher levels (Like University entrance [and University in general]) I would like to see if you can keep that up {unless you already are in which case I cannot see that on your profile and am sorry}. But when you get to those levels the speed at which you work at moves considerably faster (assuming that you arn't doing "Vegie" maths).

I for one have spent half of my total maths classes asleep in middle school (and still got the top marks). But in my final years I miss about 5 minutes and I might as well be dumped in a non-english speaking plase with but a phone with a flat battery trying to get home.

I am a sophomore, so I am not yet in a university.

And I have to ask, what is vegie math?

something like
Graph:
2x+5=y then using a graph find the point where that comes into contact with the line 3x+1=y

Except that may even be a little to difficult for them. Seriously where we have just gone and done a proof using Parametrics (don't ask its not fun [unless you get it right]) they are strugleing with this even when they have a nice graph to scale and can simply use a ruler.

Or in laymans terms EASY MATH

yeah I probably should of just said that to start with...But i've written the rest now so meh

 

[Lavi]

Personally, I am a whiz a math. I am 2 grades ahead in math, and still keeping an A.

Well that is alright but when you get to the higher levels (Like University entrance [and University in general]) I would like to see if you can keep that up {unless you already are in which case I cannot see that on your profile and am sorry}. But when you get to those levels the speed at which you work at moves considerably faster (assuming that you arn't doing "Vegie" maths).

I for one have spent half of my total maths classes asleep in middle school (and still got the top marks). But in my final years I miss about 5 minutes and I might as well be dumped in a non-english speaking plase with but a phone with a flat battery trying to get home.

I am a sophomore, so I am not yet in a university.

And I have to ask, what is vegie math?

something like
Graph:
2x+5=y then using a graph find the point where that comes into contact with the line 3x+1=y

Except that may even be a little to difficult for them. Seriously where we have just gone and done a proof using Parametrics (don't ask its not fun [unless you get it right]) they are strugleing with this even when they have a nice graph to scale and can simply use a ruler.

Or in laymans terms EASY MATH

yeah I probably should of just said that to start with...But i've written the rest now so meh

...?

2x + 5 = 3x + 1
-x = -4
x = 4

The lines intersect at x=4. When one line equals the other, obviously they're in the same spot?

Did first calculus class in Uni and I have dyscalculia. The idea that it is fixable is laudable though. Unless science wants to open my skull up, that isn't really possible. It also isn't really an excuse to be shitty at math. If you work hard at math, you'll understand it eventually.

 

[Sprinal]

...?

2x + 5 = 3x + 1
-x = -4
x = 4

The lines intersect at x=4. When one line equals the other, obviously they're in the same spot?

Did first calculus class in Uni and I have dyscalculia. The idea that it is fixable is laudable though. Unless science wants to open my skull up, that isn't really possible. It also isn't really an excuse to be shitty at math. If you work hard at math, you'll understand it eventually.

To be honest I think calculus is a bit overated (sadly it is worth 60% of my entrance mark so I do need to do it). Besides all you need to do is look at the concept and look at how it fits with other concepts and then manipulate the two or more concept into another concept then give the exam paper in and hope that marker has worked out what you did with it....


Oh and the problem was supposed to be their most advanced part of their corse (NO really) they don't even learn to use elimonation let alone how to use a matrix.

 

[Stoic raptor]

Personally, I am a whiz a math. I am 2 grades ahead in math, and still keeping an A.

Well that is alright but when you get to the higher levels (Like University entrance [and University in general]) I would like to see if you can keep that up {unless you already are in which case I cannot see that on your profile and am sorry}. But when you get to those levels the speed at which you work at moves considerably faster (assuming that you arn't doing "Vegie" maths).

I for one have spent half of my total maths classes asleep in middle school (and still got the top marks). But in my final years I miss about 5 minutes and I might as well be dumped in a non-english speaking plase with but a phone with a flat battery trying to get home.

I am a sophomore, so I am not yet in a university.

And I have to ask, what is vegie math?

something like
Graph:
2x+5=y then using a graph find the point where that comes into contact with the line 3x+1=y

Except that may even be a little to difficult for them. Seriously where we have just gone and done a proof using Parametrics (don't ask its not fun [unless you get it right]) they are strugleing with this even when they have a nice graph to scale and can simply use a ruler.

Or in laymans terms EASY MATH

yeah I probably should of just said that to start with...But i've written the rest now so meh

I learned that stuff 2-4 years ago. People struggle with that?