WHY IS MATH SO HARD?
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A LITTLE OF HISTORY
As far back as we know, math was an evolving tool that was needed for counting and then commerce. The first math problem was with no doubt in how to share a fire between two or three groups of cavemen. The second handy approach to that tool were our fingers. Can you imagine this four or five families in a cave being away from Mammoths and T-Rex's. When night fell, they needed to make sure all their off springs were inside too. So, ten fingers were available, until the clan grew in quantity. What was next? Their toes fingernails? heck no! The smell of it was an absolute deterrent. You might wonder what, or how accounting was born? Was later on when 'Habibi', a Phoenician seafarer, wanted to keep track of his jars of wine and sheep's skin. Otherwise he could've been held 'accountable' by his concubine 'Sarah'
FAST FORWARDING 85,000 YEARS
Chaldean-Assyrians founded Ur, 4,500 years before Christ. According to our records, it was the first new citadel with a population of 100 thousand inhabitants. Astronomy was already set in its ways and math was in the early stages of Algebraic equations, but who made this math so popular? First were the traders known as Phoenicians, who Invented commerce as is known. By the way, they were the first who wrote the modern numbers with little changes. The notion of Zero was left to the Arabian Mathematicians, actually algebra is a word that back in the second century was known as al-jabr...Well now back to our days.
STILL, WHY IS SO HARD LORD?
How can I start this, so you dear reader won't leave unsatisfied. and probably scared to dead of Math.
We all are born to understand our first basic words: Dad, mom, hi, food and so on. Our first senses grab colors, words, emotions, smiles...but a+b=c? Is like telling you in Chinese, Andrew added Brian and went to Cocoa Beach? What the hell is that?
MATH HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE
Without notice..at age six or seven, you have to add math to your vocabulary. Is like teaching you a new language with this signs + - = * and later, %, or (a-b)(a+b)=c.
WE LEARN A LOT OF THINGS AT ONCE
We poor kids used to watch Sesame street or that 'Purple thing' Barney and had to listen to our 'repit after me' Teacher. Our first trauma is already set and... like zombies, we have to learn our tables and division without leaving behind adding and subtraction. No wonder most of us used to chew our pencils. Nice taste by the way.
IS ABSTRACTED AS A SIX DOLLAR BILL
We can touch our bike or our steering wheel. But putting in our mind this 6 times five, is like memorizing something totally new, to our little brain, who is used to hear mommy and our puppy bark. Is non tangible and has to be in our mind. Not all of us learned divisions that fast. We all needed to add and then subtract, and eventually make room for this up most torture, forget about square root. It was like an added mental punishment. Square root of 49 is seven? and what do you want to do with that..stick it in my nose?
STEP BY STEP
Math introduces us to Logic. "And why should I learn Logic Lord?" Well, if you had learn logic, you wouldn't have met your actual wife. Probably you could've been in Massachusetts at the MIT. We learn to crawl before walk and run, and math is build upon stages. All we learn, will fit eventually in the final Puzzle.
THE BRAIN, WE ALL ARE NOT MADE EQUAL
See how women learn a new language easier than us males? In the same sense, we all have our own level of mathematical consciousness. Some can become painters an others rocket scientists, Not all can be an Einstein or a Beethoven. We all have our uniqueness. Remember your math teacher taking his/her time more with others that with you?
MATH CAN BE EASY
You've gotta open your mind, accept the facts; Theorems and formulas are there for a reason. Some use short cuts or ', or tricks( a future hub). But, after all we all need Math to check our paycheck or read the statement at the Gas pump, right?
OTHER MATH TUTORIALS...TAKE A MINUTE
- MORE MATH TO GET OVER WITH
PERCENTAGES,RATIOS,PROPORTIONS IN AN EASY WAY..TO GET OVER WITH.FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS ADDED - HOW TO HANDLE A MATH PROBLEM
A very unique way to confront Math. A 5 minute REVIEW THAT PROMISE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Practical tips for you to have... and share. - SOLVING DIVISIONS THE EASY WAY
The esiest way to help our kids to grab divisions with an open mind, and gain confidence and rebuild their skills with a solid foundation. - SIMPLE ALGEBRA EQUATIONS-HOW TO SOLVE THEM
An unique way to solve a simple equation using fun and creative situations. Mnemonics at work. - CRASHING TRIGONOMETRY HEAD ON!
A never seen way of teaching this course that is a headache for kids 14 and up. When created by Hipparcus 2200 years ago, was a tool for his own use on astronomy and Geography. Unfortunately it was inherited as part of our school curriculum, that
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Why Is Math So Hard for Some Children?: The Nature and
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I think math can an interesting subject to kids if maths teachers explain it with practical examples.Unfortunately, most of the teacher only focus on the theoretical aspects of maths.Great hub.
I always thought math as an interesting subject until I reached the college. Very interesting, I loved your hub, specially the anecdotes.
I used to challenge the smart-student exam during grade 12 in Cambodia. I always enjoy thinking and memorizing those formulas. I loved your hub so much.
We all need math and I like the logic of it! I had a math teacher once that always talked about how beautiful math was! After she had explained a math problem she said: look how beautiful this is! It was quite easy and fun to learn since she was so passionate about math! You seem to be able to explain math in the same way!
Thanks for a interesting hub!
Tina
I agree with your conclusion, math can be easy. And it's even easier when put into practical terms and examples. Great hub. Voting up.
Joseph, reading this hub was interesting amazing and filled with a lot of sense of humor, it turns that I have a lot of logic since I am not married. its also funny to know that kids everywhere used to chew their pencil as we used to do this as well. thanks you made my evening. voted up
Good points, especially that we are all different. It is very interesting that my entire family is actually very good at math although half of us have dyslexia. I've always loved Algebra because it is like solving a big puzzle..just tougher to do when you transpose numbers.
Interesting...you presented math as a new language...which it is for the child. Enjoyed your hub.
I think the reason math is so hard for many people is two fold - we teach math before logic, and we seldom teach the necessary skill of extreme concentration and to be exact in speaking and thinking.
Learning logic should precede math, and if so it will make math considerably easier. The bigger problem, though is being exact in what we see and speak (or write on paper). While such exactness is not usually necessary in every day speech, if one writes 1+2 instead of 1+1 the correct answer is not available. As equations become more complex it is easier and easier to skip over a division or square root sign. We have to learn to read the complete equation, not just most of it.
Math beyond dollars and percentages has always been a challenge for me. I think it's more of a mental block. However, if I view it as a language I have a better understanding.
Wonderful explanation. You are right, we are all not made equal! That makes me think I was not really born with a knack in math... Just enough to get through high school and my college degree. hehehe!
brilliant written.
very interesting ! as a musician i have always hated math, and we actually use mathematics to read and play rhythms but i always have to listen to it because i find math so difficult, thanks for sharing this useful hub ! voted useful and interesting !
Great hub lord de cross. I must admit, I was never good at math. Music and writing come easier to me than math ever did.
You make some really great points in your article. I enjoyed reading it.
Voted up
John
Funny and this hub brings back memories! I was one of the few who can't figure out the answers to daily Math problems on the blackboard, and the teacher won't let me get back to my seat...unless. I stood on the platform with the blackboard behind me, braving shame and discomfort so many times during Math periods in highschool; my fingers thick with chalk powder.























medor 8 months ago
Cool... math should never be taught outside it's application... it is part of the language of science... not a separate idea. most people cannot understand it without the story problem... nice hub.