Math: most unpopular school subject


Recommended Posts

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

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

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

^ 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.