Why Do Most People Hate Math?

[mathdad]

I decided to search for answers to a common question among students.

Question:

Why do most people hate math?

There were several replies but one in particular caught my interest.

Here is the answer given by one person:

I don't know about most people but I know exactly why I hated MATH and I'll be honest about my reason. I hated math because of my own lack of understanding. In third grade, I just stopped paying attention after the adding and subtraction era ended. I mean, I just felt like things were going to get harder for me in terms of multiplication and division the common core way.

I won't blame the teachers but in 3rd & 4th grade, my teacher passed me because of good conduct in class but not based on academic achievement. However, my 5th grade math teacher, Mr. Shackleford, made me realize that I wasn't putting my all into learning math and thus I failed the class. I learned that multiplication and division were the keys to solving any and all math problems in 5th grade. Thanks to him, I'm now much better at math including all operations: adding, subtracting, multiplying, & dividing as far as arithmetic is concerned.

What do you say? Why do most people hate math?

 

[lofgran]

Thank you for sharing your personal experience with math. I have come across this question many times and have conducted research on it. While I cannot speak for everyone, I can provide some insight into why some people may hate math.

Firstly, math can be a challenging subject for many individuals. It requires logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. For some, this can be overwhelming and cause frustration, leading to a dislike for the subject.

Additionally, math is often perceived as a subject that is only useful in certain fields, such as science and engineering. This narrow view of math can make it seem irrelevant or unimportant to those who are not interested in those fields.

Furthermore, negative experiences with math, such as struggling to understand a concept or receiving poor grades, can contribute to a dislike for the subject. As you mentioned, your lack of understanding in third grade led to a dislike for math, but your positive experience with a teacher in fifth grade helped change your perspective.

However, it is important to note that hating math is not a universal feeling. Many individuals enjoy and excel in math, and it plays a crucial role in our daily lives. From managing finances to problem-solving in various situations, math is an essential skill to have.

In conclusion, there are various reasons why someone may hate math, but it is not a sentiment shared by everyone. With proper support and guidance, anyone can develop a better understanding and appreciation for math.