WHY is MATH SO HARD?!

[smokey the elder]

I think math is something that requires a lot of practice for some people. I know in grade school we got TONS of homework, basically I think they acted like mental "pumping iron" for the math part of the brain. For higher math, I found that if I could link it to a real world example (these abound in physics, lol) I had much better luck with it.

But I think you need some unhurried, one-on-one time to find whatever mental "trick" might work.

[pitc9]

There was nothing harder for me in school than math was, omg... I thought it was going to be the death of me!!
I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with it.

[jennielynn1970]

I'm not a big fan of math.... I'm doing tutoring with a girl who is on homebound instruction right now, and she's taking Algebra 1. I can't believe the stuff I don't remember!! Luckily, there is an online tutoring program offered by the publishers of the math books. Did you try to see if there is something similar with the math book you are using?? Sometimes getting it reinforced through examples by someone other than the teacher can make it a little easier to understand.

Are there others in your class who are also having problems and would want to form a study group??

[jackie]

ugh, you just described me at your age to a T.

The ONLY reason I got through math was going to math summer school, three hours a day, five days a week during summer holiday. I really recommend getting a tutor and doing a couple hours a week.

Hope you do better.

[Suki Wingy]

I hear ya too! Algebra was a major cause of stress in my life. 2 years in summer school later, I've passed.

[K9karen]

I feel your pain. I'm still lousy at any subject that involves logic. What's that say about me??? Still have a slight case of numerical dyslexia, spent 3 years in summer school for Algebras and geomety and still count on my fingers and hate the 9x table. John however uses the other side of his brain and is a math whiz. Gawd I hate him. On the bright side, give me a crossword puzzle, books, books, books. Love writing (ya think?) A private tutor helped me. He went so s-l-o-w but I finally aced it. Went from a 42 average to a 70 in less than a year and the teacher was so impressed, he gave me a B and I graduated. Those were the days. Thankfully I had a great supportr system. My parents never got mad, just helpful.

[Lady's Human]

I struggled with Algebra II and Trig. I got through the classes mainly through the assistance of my next door neighbor, who was a mathematician. My problems weren't with the formulae, they were with dealing with the abstract. Chemistry and Physics I did very well with, as you had concrete results as opposed to a mishmash of X's and Y's.

I have to disagree with the statement about females being worse at math than males, as the best person in dealing with pure math is our older sister. There are also female mathematicians scattered through history,most notably Ada Lovelace and Madame Curie (You can't separate the physics from the math) I personally think it has more to do with nurture and societal expectations than ability.