Who likes math? Nobody. This is a statement from a person who never liked math. But, is it really math that is the problem? I don’t think so.

Mathematics is one area of Education that is oftentimes becomes a burden for most.  From elementary, to High School and then College. As a student encounter countless mathematical problems, theorems, etc. on learning Mathematics, most of the time the student gets tired. Tired of thinking on how to solve every one of it.

But is Mathematics really the root of this hatred for Math?

Sometimes it’s a student’s will on learning that causes the feeling that he/she cannot solve a problem or its too hard for them. The mental capacity sometimes is also an escape goat for what seems to be an impossible mathematical problem. It’s simple to say “I can’t do it”, or “It’s too hard”. But every Mathematical problem has a solution, it may be long, hard, tedious or almost impossible but it can be done.

During our learning time in elementary, High School, and College, mathematics is presented in a way that a person can handle such problems based on grade level. We first learn to count, learn the four basic operations and so on. It is a step by step learning process by which we are being prepared for the next stage or level of difficulty. If a person thinks outright that he/she cannot make it, then it is not Math that is the problem but it is the person’s willingness to learn the process and the solution. To practice a problem’s solution is one thing we can make good use of our memory and learn that it is not difficult at all. Another cause of students thinking that Math is hard is on how teachers deliver the topics in mathematics. A good delivery of the subject can attract a student to be good and to further boost one’s interest in the subject. A bad delivery or method of teaching will just worsen the feeling that Math is hard. Some other factors besides the subject itself can be pointed out such as interests in other subject which do not need intellectual prowess such as Sports and Arts.

So is it really Math the problem?  

By: Rysy May G. Constantino | T-II | Limay National High School