Hum Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 WASHINGTON (AP) -- People in the USA have a love-hate relationship with math, a favorite school subject for some but just a bad memory for many others, especially women. In an AP-AOL News poll as students head back to school, almost four in 10 adults surveyed said they hated math in school, a widespread disdain that complicates efforts today to catch up with Asian and European students. Twice as many people said they hated math as said that about any other subject. Recent studies have suggested 15-year-olds in the United States lag behind those of the same age in Europe and Asia in math. Young people in many countries are stronger in the important subject of science, as well. Both subjects are critical in research, innovation and economic competitiveness. Education experts say students should have a foundation in all core subjects -- such as math, English, social studies and science -- to become well-rounded citizens and skilled workers. More than half of people polled, said they think children should get more education in both science and the arts. Computers have become a major factor in elementary and especially high school education. Two-thirds in the poll said they think the use of a computer helps rather than hurts children with learning. full story: http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/08/17/sc...s.ap/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Floyd Veteran Posted August 18, 2005 Veteran Share Posted August 18, 2005 that doesnt surprise me math was my best and favorite subject (must be why im a chemical engineer) and my sisters and also my wife had much difficulties in math in the past Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lav-chan Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 I got through maths fairly easily (mostly As), but it definitely was my least-favourite subject in school (not counting PE, but i don't know if i should consider that a subject). It was also the only subject in school that i had to actually try in sometimes to pass. Every other subject i could just half-ass through it and get As, but in maths i usually had to actually work at it, and i was behind in maths by a grade or two, so that should give you an idea of how much i sucked at it. I'm not particularly worried about it, though. The way i see it, i need an advanced grasp of mathematics about as much as i need wash-board abs (which is not very much). Never going to need maths in any of the professions i'm considering. I hardly ever need it in every-day life, and when i do i can usually look it up on the Internet. (And obviously i'm talking about algebra-type junk, not simple stuff like division and subtraction.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted August 18, 2005 Author Share Posted August 18, 2005 ^ I tend to agree. If you aren't going into some job needing great Math skills, it's not so important to learn. About the only use then, is if you are going to help your kids with their Math homework. :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdodson Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 Math and science are my favorite subjects and probably the most important. I hate english. I already know how to read, write, and speak it, so why keep trying to learn it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 I've always hated maths, i'm crap at it and tried to get help with the subject but it just drives me nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galoosh33 Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 This is obvious... Most people have problems with Math. Or they just don't like it. And when you are not very good at something, you can't possibly love it... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanstein Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 I always loved math, probably why it was my best subject. ;) It would also explain my working to become a math teacher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhorse Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 Math rocks and am glad I was good at it....some of my friends use to mug up solutions to problems that could have come in exams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt74441 Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 Makes sense I guess. I'm okay at math, but I think its the most boring subject in school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blush Posted August 18, 2005 Share Posted August 18, 2005 I'm okay at math, but I think its the most boring subject in school. 586397848[/snapback] Same here. It's the only subject that has me looking at my watch constantly, wondering if the class will end soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strekship Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I hate math because its the only subject that requires me to think. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commodore Max Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Not entirely surprising ! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoXY Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 haha, I can confirm Math is for SURE one of my LEAST favourit subjects... I have trouble with it, or I just plain don't try...:/ (and considering I'm asain, it's pretty sad..:laugh:) *sigh*....if my math grade was a 90 average...:no: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soham Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 i am a statician. i love math :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantNoob Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Science and math are best subjects. I can do half-assed work in class and get A (A+ if I'm really really really really lucky) English is a killer, tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3thal Veteran Posted August 19, 2005 Veteran Share Posted August 19, 2005 I cannot stand Math at all. I am glad most of the country thinks the same way :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkCircuit Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Hate math ... wait .. 4x(r52)3y+734=crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexcyn Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I hate math with a passion. On the other hand, English is my favourite subject. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkCircuit Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I hate math with a passion. On the other hand, English is my favourite subject. :) 586399312[/snapback] I think we in the US are more thinkers and writers, ... we just outsource our math problems to China and Japan. :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theresiststance2003 Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Math is awful and completely useless to learn about unless of course you're going into a profession that uses it on a daily basis. No one will ever remember all the lame formulas and what not that are taught in high school. Hell, I already forgot most of the algebra and trig that I learned. And like the dude said above, if one ever needs a quick equation, the internet is a handy friend. What REALLY bugs me about math class is that my teacher was some 83 year old fossil that required "no-calculator" portions on our tests.... what gives with those? Professionals are allowed to use any resources available to them, calculator, internet, book, formula sheet, whatever. I always drew pictures on those "no calculator" forms and got a 0 for it.. damn teachers!! Wow, pointless rant I know.. but I'm nervous to start college tomorrow. Sorry guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexcyn Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I think we in the US are more thinkers and writers, ... we just outsource our math problems to China and Japan. :rofl: 586399323[/snapback] Except I'm not from the US... lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJerman Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Math is awful and completely useless to learn about unless of course you're going into a profession that uses it on a daily basis. No one will ever remember all the lame formulas and what not that are taught in high school. Hell, I already forgot most of the algebra and trig that I learned. And like the dude said above, if one ever needs a quick equation, the internet is a handy friend. What REALLY bugs me about math class is that my teacher was some 83 year old fossil that required "no-calculator" portions on our tests.... what gives with those? Professionals are allowed to use any resources available to them, calculator, internet, book, formula sheet, whatever. I always drew pictures on those "no calculator" forms and got a 0 for it.. damn teachers!!Wow, pointless rant I know.. but I'm nervous to start college tomorrow. Sorry guys. 586399326[/snapback] Hahaha, oh man, after reading that, then seeing that last line about starting college tomorrow... I was rolling laughing. Man you're in for a rude awakening if that's how you feel about just high school math. While some math may be less useful for some people, the majority will be helpful now and then in your life. No calculator sections? They have a reason. Sure SOME professionals can use a calculator, but consider when you have to do something more complex than a simple calculation that a calculator can't do, or you have are at work, don't have a calculator, and suddenly you can't do simple algebra, or how about a job like computer programming where you have to tell the computer how to to the work. You have to know it yourself first. I don't particularly enjoy math (at least not anymore now that I'm in college), however I have never found it to be overly difficult. It's just a matter of paying attention and doing homework and you're fine, however without that practice, you'll fall behind VERY quickly on higher level math. Homework is of utmost importance in college math. It moves fast and you don't have time to not remember how to do something because you didn't practice. I too find math tedious at times, and seemingly useless, but then again, in programming, I have done some absolutely insane mathmatical equations for the simplest of programs. Being able to use a calculator is of course nice, and I'd never complain, but you're much better off knowning and being able to do this kind of thing in your head. Then even if you have to use a calculator to double check or something, you can at least know that you knew how to do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azadre Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 Math is just another language, except it has more logic than english. Also, we don't learn math because of the purely academic value aspect, but also the problem solving skills it teaches. People who do not like math typically do not like solving any kind of problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachleen Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 I hate math. :angry: , well, not really, just dont like it very much... stuff is sooo hard to remember... too many rules... science is a whole different story.. ecpecially physics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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