Math is a necessary part of life.
We use them to determine how much money we have over the weekend, how many ingredients we need to cook a certain dish, and how to build housing and infrastructure more safely.
However, learning math is not always easy.
Even basic math can be difficult for some people to grasp at first.
If you're having trouble learning math, you might be wondering why.
Why am I so bad at math? (10 possible reasons)
1. Bad teachers
Sometimes, not being able to learn math isn't entirely your fault.
Sometimes your teachers are to blame.
The problem with education is that there are different ways to do it.
There are many different teaching styles.
Also, not all teachers use the same style.
This can make learning a little difficult, as you must adapt to each different style, depending on the course you take.
Even worse, the style they use might not work for you.
It might not be a way for your brain to learn well.
You can learn math over time, but it will be a struggle all the time.
Some teachers also do not have a teaching establishment.
They may have been hired for their connections rather than their skills.
This does a disservice to students who will later pay the price for their incompetence.
Even worse, if the professor is incumbent and has been doing his job for several decades, he might not care.
Workplace burnout is real, and it affects teachers, too.
The problem with tenured professors is that they're hard to get rid of.
They may not do their best to teach students mathematics, which is reflected in their inability to learn it.
There are a number of reasons why your teacher might make it difficult for you to learn math.
Having the right teacher for your particular way of learning is just as important as having the right therapist.
The wrong teacher or therapist will not be able to provide you with the service you need.
As a result, it can cut you off from training or therapy altogether.
You can get frustrated and disconnected from the whole process.
Soon you won't just have problems with math.
School districts need to consider the teachers they hire to ensure they offer a variety of teaching styles to best educate their students.
You might be bad at math because your teacher isn't teaching you effectively.
2nd speed class
Each school follows a specific curriculum.
They expect their teachers to follow the curriculum to the letter.
This causes some problems, especially if some of your students are falling behind.
Another part of the problem is testing milestones.
The standardized tests are intended to be a general exam that quantifies student progress.
The problem is that the results are not so clear and several variables can affect student performance.
For example, a student might take the test after a full night's sleep.
Another student who has abusive parents and didn't get much sleep the night before will also take the test.
Both can be smart, but a student's lack of sleep can affect their overall performance.
The biggest problem with standardized tests is that they are scheduled throughout the year.
As such, it prompts teachers to teach specific subjects before taking the test.
It doesn't leave much room to delve into each concept until it's thoroughly learned.
Instead, students basically gain a superficial understanding that allows them to develop enough to learn more advanced concepts.
They go through topics and concepts at breakneck speed.
This is not good for those who struggle with math.
They need more time to learn the basics before delving into more advanced concepts.
However, due to the current structure of the education system, this time is not available to them.
You may need an external education system, e.g. B. a tutor or a real company to help them catch up.
But not everyone has the time or can afford it.
This leaves the student even further behind.
Maybe you're bad at math because the class is moving too fast to keep up with the upcoming standardized tests.
3. Learning disability
Maybe you have a learning disability and don't even realize it.
Learning problems can be moderate or mild.
They all affect your ability to learn.
If you are having a hard time learning the basics due toa learning disability, it becomes even more difficult to learn more advanced concepts.
Some examples of learning difficulties are:
- dyscalculia
- dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
Dyscalculia is a specific type of learning disability that affects mathematics.
It includes the inability to comprehend and comprehend numbers and how to calculate them.
There are several reasons why you might suffer from dyscalculia.
If it's mild, you might not even realize how it's affecting the rest of your life.
You might just notice that it affects your math grade.
Dysgraphia is another learning disability that can affect your ability to learn math.
This type of disability describes a difficulty in reading or writing.
This affects the math when you get to the story problems.
You should read a short paragraph that describes the problem and provides the information needed to resolve the problem.
However, if you have dysgraphia, it can be difficult to read or understand what the problem story is saying.
So you might find it hard to do math because you can't understand what the story problem is telling you.
Finally, if you have dyslexia, it can also affect your ability to calculate.
Dyslexia is a disability that changes letters or even whole words in your brain.
It can happen when you read or when you write.
As a result, you may not understand something or not understand at all.
This also affects math when it comes to word problems.
You may not understand what you are asking.
It can even affect your ability to write equations.
If you enter an incorrect number anywhere, you might get an incorrect answer.
You may understand the concept, but your learning disability forces you to make mistakes.
You might be bad at math because of a learning disability.
4. ADHD
ADHD has received a lot of attention over the years.
If researchers work harder on this, they might shed more light on this.the conditionand how it affects learning.
ADHD has many different subtypes and is often associated with other learning disabilities or behavioral problems.
You can have mild ADHD and not even realize you have it.
Others who are older may have ADHD and not know it because they just thought they were that way and that it was normal.
Only in recent years have more people begun to understand what ADHD is and whether or not it affects them.
ADHD describes a condition in which children or people are unable to control their behavior or pay attention.
Depending on the type of ADHD you have, you may not be able to control your behavior, but be careful, you may control your behavior and not be careful, or you may be unable to control your behavior or not careful.
Learning math requires a lot of concentration.
Those who have had ADHD cannot always sit still or concentrate enough to learn.
Even learning basic math can be difficult as the concepts involved are tricky at first.
The further you go into more advanced mathematics, the more attention is required.
The problem with math is that it often takes a long time to learn it.
That's why math homework is so common.
Teachers want their students to spend more time learning the basics outside of the classroom.
Students with ADHD struggle because they have too many distractions at home.
They also spend most of the day focused on school.
You might not pay enough attention to your homework.
If you can't control your behavior, not only may you not be paying attention, but you may also create a distracting environment.
yourself.
This is not an environment for you to focus and learn math.
He might be bad at math because he has moderate to mild ADHD.
5. Disturbing environment
Another reason you might be bad at math is that you're trying to learn it in a distracted environment.
Classrooms have their share of distractions.
If you have friends in class, you can focus on talking to them instead of studying.
If there are other groups of friends in the classroom, they might be talking loudly or joking.
This can also distract him from his studies as he wants to know what they are talking about.
Schools close to roads or highways can also create distracting environments.
He may be more interested in what happens outside the school than in it.
Problems at home can also distract you.
Maybe your parents are fighting or your brother is sick.
Maybe your dog is in the hospital after a fight.
Home-related distractions can take over your entire day and affect your overall performance.
There are many social distractions that can keep you from focusing on math as well.
If you are someone who is being bullied, you can focus on that instead of your math.
This can be even more disturbing if the bully is in the same class as you.
Distraction can even be positive.
Maybe there's an exciting party or game at the end of the school day.
Maybe that's what you're thinking and focusing on instead of your math.
Distractions keep your focus away from math.
The problem with this is that if you miss anything it will affect your ability to create formulas.
In the world of math, everything builds.
If you're missing a concept, there's a good chance you'll run into problems down the road.
You might be bad at math because there are too many distractions keeping you from studying.
6. Unfounded
Mathematics has a structure.
Start with basic calculations.
1 + 1 = 2.
It then grows into simple algebra.
Variables start to appear and you need to resolve themxbased on what you know about basic math.
Then the geometry begins.
You need to know basic algebra and basic math to calculate the size of a square or sphere.
After geometry comes trigonometry.
You must master basic math, basic algebra and basic geometry to solve the angle or length of a triangle in a circle.
After that comes the preliminary calculation and calculation.
Now you will learn about imaginary numbers, functions and integrals.
All of these concepts use the concepts you learned earlier.
This becomes a problem when you don't understand a certain concept.
If you don't have a solid foundation, you won't be able to learn more advanced math concepts.
For example, if you don't know basic algebra, it won't be easy to do calculations.
It's algebra at its most advanced.
Don't expect to learn advanced concepts before learning the basics first.
Maybe you're bad at math because your basic knowledge is spotty.
Without this foundation, it is impossible to learn high-level mathematical concepts.
7. Story-Problem
There are two ways in which a math problem can present itself to you.
The simplest is a basic equation.
Your teacher can set up a series of equations for you to solve.
Is easy.
The other way is through a narrative problem.
A narrative problem usually describes a specific situation.
Tell a story to relate math to real life.
It gives you an idea of how this kind of math is sometimes found in the real world.
The problem with story problems is that they are much more complicated than simple equation problems.
You must read the issue first.
If your reading comprehension is not adequate, it can affect your ability to do arithmetic right from the start.
You also need to be able to extract the information you need from information that is just useless.
Some teachers will test you to see if you can identify the information you need to solve the problem of information not being helpful.
This can be difficult if you're not good at reading or don't understand the basics of the type of math you're initially doing.
Finally, you must configure the equations and formulas yourself.
If you do not know them or have not memorized them, it is impossible to solve the problem.
The story problems are complex and offer many areas where one can fail.
You might be bad at math because you're not very good at word problems.
8. Memorization
Mathematics is not as easy as learning concepts.
In many cases, you need to memorize formulas.
For some types of math functions, there is only one specific way to solve them.
For example, in trigonometry, you need to remember that to find the sine of a triangle, you need to calculate the length of the reciprocal and hypotenuse of the triangle.
You also need to remember what certain degrees mean in relation to sine.
So you have to memorize it in radians.
A lot of memory work is needed in math.
Since you are expected to learn many different types of math throughout your educational experience, it is difficult to memorize all the formulas.
For many students it is even impossible.
Therefore, you often have to erase certain memorized formulas to allow the new ones to advance.
The problem comes when you need to remember the formula you created for the next mathematical concept.
You might be bad at math because it requires a lot of memorization.
9. Angel of motivations
Sometimes you suck at math because you're not motivated to learn it.
Learning math beyond basic arithmetic and algebra can seem pointless.
If you know you won't have a career that uses math at a high level, you might be wondering why you're wasting your time studying.
There are many other important things you can learn.
Therefore, you may feel that it is not worth paying attention to.
The problem is how the education system is currently set up, everyone has to learn the same mathematical concepts.
It doesn't matter if you want to go to college or not, or if you want a career in math or not.
You have to learn everything.
Otherwise your transcript will be bad and you will not be able to graduate.
Motivation plays an important role in education.
If you're not motivated to learn something, it won't get your full attention.
Without concentration you will not learn.
Motivation allows you to focus and stay engaged.
So you learn faster and better.
Maybe you're bad at math because you're not motivated to learn it.
10. Math Anxiety
One last reason why you might be bad at math is because you suffer from it.math anxiety.
Math anxiety describes a state where you feel helpless, scared, or lost when thinking about or doing math.
That kind of negative thinking ends up affecting your performance.
In a way, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You worry so much about not getting the math right that you get so lost in your own head that you end up not getting the math right.
This further fuels your anxiety because you think it shows you're bad at math.
Math anxiety creates a stressful and disturbing mental environment.
This affects your ability to think critically and logically.
You can alleviate math anxiety by taking time to study math alone, slowly, or with a tutor in a one-on-one session.
By taking your time and being kind to yourself, you can learn math and overcome your fear.
Diploma
Mathematics is a difficult branch of study as it requires logical thinking, critical thinking and reading comprehension.
If something affects any of these traits in you, you will have difficulty learning math.
Factors can range from environmental to mental and even institutional.
With enough practice and time, you can become a math pro.
NEXT: How long can an NFL game be postponed? (Explained)
FAQs
Why do I struggle so badly with math? ›
Because math involves using plenty of multi-step processes to solve problems, being able to master it takes a lot more practice than other subjects. Having to repeat a process over and over again can quickly bore some children and this may make them become impatient with math.
Is there a condition that makes you bad at math? ›Dyscalculia is a condition that makes it hard to do math and tasks that involve math. It's not as well known or as understood as dyslexia . But some experts believe it's just as common. That means an estimated 5 to 10 percent of people might have dyscalculia.
Why are some people so bad at maths? ›Some people – around 7% of us – find maths difficult because of a developmental disorder called dyscalculia (you might also see it called mathematical learning disability, but they're the same thing).
Why is my child so bad at math? ›Disorders like dyslexia, visual or auditory processing, ADHD, and others can also impact a child's ability to meet expectations in completing math problems. It's also possible for kids who do have dyscalculia to have other learning disabilities as well.
Why does math make me cry? ›Tears or anger: Tears or anger might signal anxiety, especially if they appear only during math. Students with math anxiety tend to be very hard on themselves and work under the harmful and false assumption that being good at math means getting correct answers quickly. These beliefs and thoughts are quite crippling.
Why is math so hard for my brain? ›Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to understand number-based information and math. People who have dyscalculia struggle with numbers and math because their brains don't process math-related concepts like the brains of people without this disorder.
Why are some smart people bad at math? ›There are many reasons for a bright student to be bad at math, including poor learning environments, attention disorders and anxiety. But Steph's struggles typify a specific math learning disability known as developmental dyscalculia.
Is being bad at math a mental illness? ›Dyscalculia is sometimes called “number dyslexia” or “math dyslexia.” Dyscalculia is present in about 11 percent of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD).
Is math anxiety rare? ›Most studies suggest that severe mathematics anxiety is uncommon in young children, though some researchers have found significant mathematics anxiety even among early primary school children (Wu et al., 2012).
Are people genetically bad at math? ›On the genetic side, Libertus says that there is evidence that genetics may influence math ability. Genetic conditions like Williams syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, or Turner syndrome “are associated with poor math abilities,” she says. "This leaves more than 80% of the variance in children's math abilities unexplained."
What is math trauma? ›
What is Math Trauma? This condition can occur when a student has a negative experience in math class - such as feeling humiliated or getting a bad grade - which leads to a fear of mathematics. Math anxiety can cause students to avoid math altogether, leading to further setbacks.
Is math talent genetic? ›Mathematical ability is known to be heritable and related to several genes that play a role for brain development.
How does ADHD affect math? ›Because the ADHD brain habituates to stimuli very quickly, it can be difficult to maintain attention to repetitive tasks, like, say, practicing math facts. In fact, kids with ADHD sometimes get less accurate the better they have their facts memorized.
Is dyscalculia related to ADHD? ›ADHD symptoms can make math more difficult. But ADHD can also increase your chances of having a co-occurring math learning disorder called dyscalculia. Statistics from the early 2000s (the most recent available) suggest that 31 percent of students with ADHD also have a math disability.
What are signs of dyscalculia? ›- difficulty counting backwards.
- difficulty remembering 'basic' facts.
- slow to perform calculations.
- weak mental arithmetic skills.
- a poor sense of numbers & estimation.
- Difficulty in understanding place value.
- Addition is often the default operation.
- High levels of mathematics anxiety.
Dyscalculia is a learning difference that affects math skills such as counting, recalling math facts, and understanding math concepts. Math anxiety is an emotional issue involving self-doubt and fear of failing.
What does math anxiety look like? ›Not studying regularly. Putting off Math homework until the last minute. Panic when doing Math homework or tests. Difficulty remembering Math facts.
What triggers math anxiety? ›Research from 2021 explains that negative experiences in the classroom and at home may contribute to math anxiety. For example, if a student has an intimidating math teacher, they may start to fear math class.
Why some students are weak in maths? ›What are the top reasons among children struggling with math? The inability of a child in visualizing and understanding basic math concepts. Rote learning methods: where a child is given formulas and statements to learn by heart. Labeling children as “weak students” or “weak in math”.
Can anyone get better at math? ›Many people believe one is born with the talent to be good at math while others are just not. However, many studies have proved there's no inherent mathematical ability; everyone can become proficient in math if they put in the effort and time.
What are the signs of low IQ? ›
Difficulties talking or talking late. Having problems remembering things. Inability to connect actions with consequences. Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking.
What are some signs of high IQ? ›- Intense need for mental stimulation and engagement.
- Ability to learn new topics quickly.
- Ability to process new and complex information rapidly.
- Desire to explore specific topics in great depth.
- Insatiable curiosity, often demonstrated by many questions.
Indeed, many people of all ages believe that mathematical ability is something you are either born with or not, rather than something to be mastered with focused effort. This belief is wrong.
Is it dyscalculia or am I just bad at math? ›The most characteristic trait is experiencing difficulties when dealing with numbers, including counting and doing arithmetic. Other early signs of dyscalculia are a reliance on counting with fingers when peers have ceased the practice (this is due to difficulty learning math facts) and trouble estimating numbers.
At what age does math anxiety start? ›However, recent research has shown that some children as young as 6 years old say that they feel anxious about math.
At what age does math anxiety begin? ›Researchers know that math anxiety starts early. They have documented it in students as young as 5, and that early anxiety snowballs, leading to math difficulties and avoidance that only get worse as children get older. Researchers also know that it is not related to overall intelligence.
Is math anxiety real or is it imagined? ›These feelings are not part of a student's imagination. They're real and they can negatively affect a student's ability to learn math.
Are math geniuses born or made? ›Summary. Geniuses are both born and made. While genetics can explain up to 75% of variations in IQ levels, factors like socioeconomic status and home environment decide whether a person achieves their full genetic IQ potential.
What percentage of kids struggle with math? ›Take a look at the most common reasons why math is hard for students. Mathematics is often considered to be one of the most challenging subjects for students. Recent surveys report that 37% of teens aged 13-17 found math to be harder than other subjects – the highest ranked overall.
Can bad at math become good? ›Many people feel they are naturally bad at math, and will not be able to improve in the area. This is simply not true. Studies show being good at math is a matter of hard work just as much, if not more, than innate talent. You can become good at math simply by dedication.
Can you get PTSD from math? ›
Math trauma manifests as anxiety or dread, a debilitating fear of being wrong. This fear limits access to life paths for many people, including school and career choices.
What is the hardest math in school? ›In most cases, you'll find that AP Calculus BC or IB Math HL is the most difficult math course your school offers. Note that AP Calculus BC covers the material in AP Calculus AB but also continues the curriculum, addressing more challenging and advanced concepts.
What is math exhaustion? ›method of exhaustion, in mathematics, technique invented by the classical Greeks to prove propositions regarding the areas and volumes of geometric figures. Although it was a forerunner of the integral calculus, the method of exhaustion used neither limits nor arguments about infinitesimal quantities.
Is math ability related to IQ? ›It turns out, both are very important for intelligence. Math and Reading abilities are both similarly correlated with fluid intelligence. Math is just slightly more correlated than Reading, however this difference is so small that it is overshadowed by differences between different skills within these disciplines.
Are gifted kids good at math? ›Since gifted students can often interpret, predict, and analyze mathematical situations and problems better and faster than their teachers, a significantly different instructional approach may be necessary.
Are some people just naturally good at math? ›Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that some people are naturally good at math, whereas others may never be. For those who can count very well, there is something vaguely infuriating about doing business with (or even living with) people who can't count past three.
What subjects do ADHD students struggle with? ›Struggles with reading, writing, and math are common among students with ADHD. Use these strategies and tools to help your child overcome these and other learning challenges in core school subjects.
Are ADHD kids better at math? ›Children with ADHD often struggle with math. Difficulties with sustained attention, working memory (manipulating numbers in your head), organization and planning all interfere with math learning and performance.
Does ADHD make school harder? ›School can present challenges for many children with ADHD. Because ADHD symptoms include difficulty with attention regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can affect planning, organizing, and managing behavior, many children with ADHD struggle with change.
Is dyscalculia part of autism? ›Dyscalculia is a co-morbid disorder often associated with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism. Students with dyscalculia have trouble with many aspects of math. They often don't understand concepts like more vs. less or have an understanding of quantities.
Can dyscalculia affect memory? ›
A child with dyscalculia may struggle with working memory, as they may not visually process the numbers on a page during a math lesson, therefore making it difficult to recall accurately.
Which disability does dyscalculia show? ›What is dyscalculia? Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability where the child cannot remember basic facts about numbers, and is slow and inaccurate in mathematical tasks. The symptoms may differ from one child to another.
Why is math so hard for me? ›Because math involves using plenty of multi-step processes to solve problems, being able to master it takes a lot more practice than other subjects. Having to repeat a process over and over again can quickly bore some children and this may make them become impatient with math.
At what age is dyscalculia diagnosed? ›The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-V states that Specific Learning Disorders — such as dyscalculia — can be diagnosed once a child reaches school age.
How rare is dyscalculia? ›How common is it? Dyscalculia is under studied and under resourced in comparison with dyslexia. However, it is estimated that dyscalculia is likely to occur in 3% – 6% of the population, and, unlike some other specific learning difficulties, is as likely to affect females as males.
How do I stop struggling in math? ›- Teach the 'why' Teaching students the underlying logic behind math formulas and processes is always important. ...
- Repeated review. ...
- Talk it out. ...
- Show, don't tell. ...
- Positive reinforcement. ...
- Manipulatives. ...
- Peer guidance.
- Do something. Yeah, the problem is hard. ...
- Simplify the problem. Try smaller numbers and special cases. ...
- Reflect on successes. You've solved lots of problems. ...
- Focus on what you haven't used yet. ...
- Work backwards. ...
- Ask for help. ...
- Start early. ...
- Take a break.
Common symptoms of dyscalculia include: difficulty understanding or remembering mathematical concepts such as multiplication, division, fractions, carrying, and borrowing. difficulty reconciling verbal or written cues (such as the word “two”) and their math symbols and signifiers (the number 2)
Can you cure math anxiety? ›Math anxiety is a condition that you have the power to change, if you so desire. Math anxiety is a learned behavior; you can change it!
Can math anxiety be overcome? ›Remember, there is often more than one way to solve a Math problem. Perhaps one of the most important ways that you can do better is simply by having a positive attitude. Avoid negative self-talk. Set high expectations and rise to the occasion.
Is dyscalculia caused by ADHD? ›
People sometimes call it math dyslexia, but this can be confusing because dyscalculia is a different condition. It can be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- up to 60% of people who have ADHD also have a learning disorder. It also tends to run in families.
Is dyscalculia common in ADHD? ›Hannell points out that “about 20 percent of students with ADHD also have dyscalculia. To put it in perspective, this means that 1 in 5 students with ADHD/ADD are at risk of also having this learning disability.” Distinguishing a specific learning disability from ADHD can be challenging and intimidating for parents.
Is dyscalculia a form of autism? ›Dyscalculia is a co-morbid disorder often associated with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism. Students with dyscalculia have trouble with many aspects of math. They often don't understand concepts like more vs. less or have an understanding of quantities.
What is the hardest math to take? ›In most cases, you'll find that AP Calculus BC or IB Math HL is the most difficult math course your school offers. Note that AP Calculus BC covers the material in AP Calculus AB but also continues the curriculum, addressing more challenging and advanced concepts.
Why math is so hard and boring for me? ›There is a lack of understanding, confusing steps & formulas, and difficult equations associated with this subject that makes students lack interest. However, if they are taught the concepts and topics in an interesting and engaging way, the subject would become less boring for them.
What is the hardest thing in math? ›Today's mathematicians would probably agree that the Riemann Hypothesis is the most significant open problem in all of math. It's one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems, with $1 million reward for its solution.
Does ADHD affect math skills? ›ADHD symptoms can make math more difficult. But ADHD can also increase your chances of having a co-occurring math learning disorder called dyscalculia. Statistics from the early 2000s (the most recent available) suggest that 31 percent of students with ADHD also have a math disability.
How common is maths anxiety? ›Maths anxiety or a fear of maths is common, and although it can limit performance in certain situations and contexts, it's not linked to intelligence or ability. In one study involving children, most of those with high maths anxiety scored normal to high results on curriculum maths tests.
What does mild dyscalculia look like? ›Dyscalculia Symptoms in Adults at Work
Gets anxious at the thought of having to do math unexpectedly at work. Trouble handling money or keeping track of finances. Frequently runs out of time while doing a task, or fails to plan enough time for all the things that need to be done. Trouble understanding graphs or charts.