Why do I find maths hard?

[Mazza35]

Odd question, but been pissing me off from my recent Maths and Methods homework, I'm in Yr 11 (VCE) and I can't even get fucking quadratics anymore, yet give me physics shit, and I'm fine and find it real easy, and I'm even better at history.
So, how the fuck does this work? Brilliantish mind for sciences and humanities, but maths = poobrain of facedesking proportions.
Explains or help needed.

 

[Lawnmooer]

History = Memorizing dates.
Physics = Memorizing the laws on how things work.
Maths = Thinking through problems.

It's similar to a thing I heard "People that are good at English and Art are usually poor at Maths and Chemistry and visa versa" it something to do with certain subjects being relatively similar to each other.

For example my best subjects have always been Chemistry, Physics and Maths (And to a lesser extent History because I memorize useless facts constantly) and I've always struggled with other subjects such as Biology, English and the Arts (Be it design, art or music)

So it's possible that your brain is just better at memorizing things and storing information rather than using what you've memorized to work through problems.

 

[Mazza35]

This makes logical sense, but it is kind of weird, I was good at maths at the start of high school. I have a theory that is also relates hugely to the teacher. I mean, my first chemistry class he showed us hydrogen by creating an explosion with it, that shook several class rooms. And I like chemistry, where as Methods, it starts with boring note taking or mind numbly boring shit. And I hate it.

Plus the number of people hate per class I believe has something to do with it.

 

[JesterRaiin]

Explains or help needed.

There's nothing wrong with you. It's just that your CPU is pre-configured for some tasks.

http://www.sostav.ru/articles/rus/2011/22.02/news/images/3brain3.jpg

As a side note : how about some special, specific parts of mathematics like algorithms, probability theory, non-euclidean areas ?

 

[JesterRaiin]

oooops, double post, sorry

 

[thedoclc]

The whole left-brain, right-brain dichotomy mentioned above is actually a GREATLY oversimplified but not entirely inaccurate idea. Your brain is configured for a great many tasks as a set of overlapping, cross-talking subsystems. Some folks as a result of genetics, epigenetics, and environment get particular talent or lack thereof in a particular field. After that, factor in training and accidents and age and you have your broad explanation.

Intelligence is not a "thing" but a constellation of traits and capacities. A person, however intelligent, never will have all the "subsystems" human beings can have running at max capacity.

Finally, have you considered the possibility of a self-fulfilling prophecy?

 

[SckizoBoy]

A number of things perhaps...

The way you assimilate information and your natural propensity to apply vs recount.
The way you've been taught which can either enhance or adversely affect above as well.

*shrug*

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Personally I hate math. I cam do the basic stuff, sure, but the complicated problems always make my brain ache. It's like my brain is wired not to remember that kind of stuff... or maybe it's because I have a poor attention span. Maybe that's the problem here...

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Oh, don't even get me started.

Spoiler

Anyway, I scraped through the bare minimum of math courses in my 11th grade so I wouldn't have to do grade 12 math classes in grade 12. Passed one by a margin of 54%. I'm not proud of it but I can honestly tell you right now I was working my ass off to get that 54%. My brain does not like the maths.

 

[Mazza35]

So basically my brain is not...right for it?
I mean I found it easy eariler, but now the easy stuff I learned years ago is hard D:

 

[StrixMaxima]

Math in school is as good as your teacher. Have a nice teacher and it is a mystifying, elegant subject. Have a bad teacher, and it is one of the most painful ordeals in life.

Sadly, most of us fall into the second category, myself included. My math teachers taught me that math is extremely boring and was only useful as a threat for flunking the year in school. To hell with them.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

What, you need math for physics.

Integrals and all that shit.

How are you good at physics, if you suck at math (no offense, honestly asking here)?

 

[IntangibleMango]

I wouldn't worry about it buddy! I'm studying Computer Science at Uni and i'm awful at maths, I even failed an exam on maths I had already passed an exam on at GCSE!

 

[Mazza35]

What, you need math for physics.

Integrals and all that shit.

How are you good at physics, if you suck at math (no offense, honestly asking here)?

This is what is fucking with my mind! D:

 

[Rin Little]

I was an English major so I run away from math as fast as I can. My brain just isn't wired that way to do math. I'm not bad at it, I didn't do anything when I took calculus and managed to get a C, I just hate doing it.

 

[Andaxay]

Math in school is as good as your teacher. Have a nice teacher and it is a mystifying, elegant subject. Have a bad teacher, and it is one of the most painful ordeals in life.

Sadly, most of us fall into the second category, myself included. My math teachers taught me that math is extremely boring and was only useful as a threat for flunking the year in school. To hell with them.

I agree with this. I never really had a problem with maths until Year 10, when I was lumped with an awful teacher. Suddenly, I struggled like hell with it because she didn't seem to run us through problems and basics properly, and it ended up being my weakest subject and the subject I received the lowest GCSE grade result in.

I'm looking to go back and do A-Level maths this September and a part of me is dreading it 'cause I struggled so much in school, but I know I'll need it to progress to the degree I want, and I'm just praying I'll get a decent tutor. Don't be afraid to ask for help outside of your classroom, if you can find someone willing to help and decent at making you at least vaguely interested in the subject, it'll be so much better for you.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I'm terrible at maths.

Numbers have never been my thing, when I was kid, I spent time reading instead of trying to get better at maths.

Although, that's another character flaw I possess. If I don't pick up something straight away, I usually have no enthusiasm to continue it.

 

[StrixMaxima]

This is what is fucking with my mind! D:

Fear not. I have a degree in Literature, I loathe math, and I have a very good understanding of Physics and its concepts. Math is just a part of Physics; much more important, IMO, is the correct scientific understanding of the underlying complexities of the subject.

 

[Daaaah Whoosh]

I find it's helpful to think of maths in a simpler way than how t's taught to you. Normally, math teachers really know what they're talking about, so they're going to find it hard to make you understand. It really helps to find someone with the same math knowledge as you, but who knows what's going on. In my experience, they know how to explain it in a way that you will understand.

 

[DolorousEdd]

I'm not one to boast, but looking back, I think teachers tend to discourage one from trying to understand why you are supposed to do certain things and instead encourage one just to learn the methods of how to do it. But I think trying to gt your head around the concepts, the dynamics (similar to physics) and why certain methods have been invented, could make it seriously easier. It looks incredibly abstract from the outside, and of course it is, but there are often a few core factors involved that can make it easier to understand and not be intimidated by the complexity. The old "it's easy once you've understood it".
The juggling with numbers can come with training (to a certain extent), but I think trying to have a deeper understanding of the processes and methods is more helpful than some teachers might give it credit for. Trying to see it as an extension of physics could help.

And of course, keep on doing the homework. What one day may seem impossible, may soon be clear enough.


I don't know, could be shit, or I couldn't bring it across, but that are some of my thoughts looking back at it.