Mathematics is seen as one of the most important essential life skills to acquire, yet for some people it can be an insurmountable and daunting task. It’s no secret that some people really struggle with it, and it’s often seen to be the bane of their life.
Such people are often labeled as “weak” in math, but there are several factors and explanations as to why some people might have difficulty with the subject.
1. Lack of Motivation
One of the primary reasons why some people may struggle at math is because of a lack of motivation and interest. This means that motivation simply is not there, so they do not strive at their best when they tackle math-related tasks.
Without the desire to succeed, learning new math concepts can become daunting and boring, making it an incredibly challenging subject. Poor work may not be because of an individual’s capability, instead it can be down to the fact that their motivation simply is not strong enough to help them work hard and strive for success. In addition, if an individual has had bad experiences with math in the past, they might associate the subject with negative emotions.
This could make them feel unconfident, frightened, and frustrated when attempting to even consider math-related tasks. As such, their interest and motivation for the subject might become weaker and weaker, and make it increasingly more difficult for them to learn the important concepts. Overall, when their interest and motivation for math remain low, their development in the subject is sure to suffer, making them appear “weak”.
2. Poor Learning Techniques
Another factor that affects why some people have weaker math abilities is because of poor or inefficient learning techniques. As with any subject, there are sure to be different approaches that are more effective for individuals to learn the subject, and in some cases, people may not be aware of what fits them most. For instance, some people comprehend information best through visual representations and illustrations, whilst others might rely more heavily on lecture-style learning.
Some might prefer to take notes to help them remember the information, whilst others might prefer to practice questions to help them improve. Without understanding what works best for them, they might not be getting the most out of their learning of math, making it increasingly difficult for them to understand and succeed in the subject.
Furthermore, math relies heavily on consolidating a variety of different topics, and anyone who doesn’t understand concepts properly may find mathematics an overwhelmingly difficult subject. If their learning techniques are inefficient, and their conceptional understanding remains weak, their overall capability in mathematics is sure to be weakened.
3. Lack of Concentration
Another primary factor of why some people don’t achieve success in mathematics is because of a lack of concentration and focus. Math requires a lot of critical thinking in order to understand more complicated topics, but lack of concentration can make it increasingly more difficult for people to completely focus on the task at hand.
This can mean that they aren’t able to fully comprehend the information, which can consequently result in an individual experiencing weaker math abilities. Additionally, with the advent of technology, there is increasingly more visual and audio stimulation than ever before, which can be incredibly distracting. For example, nowadays people have access to their phones which have an array of games and fun activities to distract from more mundane tasks, such as math.
These distractions are, more often than not, extremely irresistible and can make it difficult for people to concentrate on their math tasks, and instead it can divert all of their attention away from their math learning.
4. Misconceptions about the Subject
Another factor that might influence why some people are relatively weaker at math is because of misconceptions often associated with the subject. For instance, many people believe that successful mathematicians must possess a natural numerical aptitude, and they often associate mathematics with people who are incredibly gifted.
This can result in students and individuals feeling unconfident when trying to tackle math-related tasks, partially because they feel inadequate if they can’t grasp the concepts as quickly as someone who they believe to be naturally gifted. In addition, many people believe that mathematics is only useful for certain situations, such as banking and finance-based jobs, and don’t realise the full extent of where mathematics can be implemented. This can result in individuals not understanding why they have to learn certain math concepts, feeling demotivated and uninterested in the subject.
5. Poor Support Network
Having access to a good support network can really help to improve an individual’s success in the subject of mathematics, yet for some people this support network may be lacking. For example, if a student’s family are not particularly well-versed in mathematics, they may lack the ability to provide them with assistance and guidance on mathematical topics. This can make it difficult for them to learn the subject, as they may not be able to ask anyone for help if they are stuck, and therefore their theoretical understanding may struggle to develop.
Moreover, some people may not have access to an educational tutor who has the specialization and experience to help them understand more complex mathematical topics. This can make it incredibly difficult for them to improve their understanding of the subject, leaving them reiterating the same mistakes over and over again.
In addition, some students might be in a classroom where the students are all of a uniform skill level. This can make it more difficult for those struggling with math topics as they might not have classmates to collaborate with, and their teachers may have to focus their classes on the needs of the average student.
6. Financial Troubles
Whilst this isn’t always the case, for some people financial problems can really play an impactful role in the success of a student’s math grades. For instance, if a student’s family are suffering from financial hardship, their parents may not have the money to pay for additional private math tuition.
This can weaken their ability to develop in the subject, as they may not have the extra support they need to pick up the slack in their own education. In addition, if a student has to earn money to support themselves, they may be too busy working to actually devote enough attention and effort to their math studies. This might potentially lead to them falling behind on their math classes, and they might struggle to keep up with their peers.
7. Language Difficulties
Another possible factor as to why some people may struggle with math is because of difficulties in language. Math, like any other subject, requires an understanding of the language and terminology that is used, and for some people this can be particularly challenging. For instance, if a student doesn’t have English as a first language, and there are no classes at their school offered in their native tongue, they may struggle to comprehend and interpret the information.
This would make it increasingly more difficult for them to understand the content, and therefore their mathematical abilities would remain weak. In addition, some students may not have the best reading abilities, meaning that they may struggle to effectively interpret the questions and instructions on a math problem.
This can result in them misunderstanding the tasks, leaving them the wrong answers and making their knowledge in the subject increasingly weaker.
8. Stress and Anxiety
The presence of stress and anxiety can also be an incredibly powerful emotional force on an individual’s mathematical abilities. For instance, many students, especially during exams and important tests, feel increasing amounts of stress and anxiety. This can lead to them being nervous and tense, meaning that they can feel extremely unconfident and panicked when attempting to answer math-related questions.
Furthermore, if an individual’s stress and anxiety is particularly severe, it can result in them feeling overwhelmed and confused, making it almost impossible for them to concentrate on their mathematical tasks. As such, any potential mistakes that they make can be magnified, making them all the more stressed and frustrated, and resulting in their mathematical capabilities weakening.
9. Lack of Support
A lack of support can also play a huge role in an individual’s success in math. Unlike most other subjects, math requires more help and guidance in order to understand more advanced topics.
If a student’s school doesn’t provide adequate support and help, this can make it difficult for them as they might not have anyone to go to for assistance. In addition, many teachers might see the subject of math as something relatively simple and easy to teach, and so they might not feel compelled to provide the same level of help and support in math as they would for other subjects. This can make it increasingly more difficult for individuals who need the extra assistance, as they may miss out on development in the subject as a result.
10. Time Management
Another factor that can play a pivotal role in an individual’s math abilities is time management. With mathematics being a subject that requires lots of calculations and number-based operations, it is essential that enough time is spent on each question to make sure that the answer is complete and accurate. If an individual is unable to set out their work in an effective manner, and manage their time properly, this can result in them making mistakes and their math abilities weakening.
In addition, if a student is unable to manage their time well and attempts too many questions in too short a space of time, this can also play a role in their math abilities decreasing. This is because they would be essentially trying to rush their work, meaning that they are more likely to make mistakes, which can consequently affect their understanding of the subject in the longer run.
11. Irrelevant Expectations
Expectations can be an incredibly powerful emotion, and when it comes to mathematics, having expectations that are too high can be detrimental. For instance, some parents or siblings may have achieved fantastic grades in the subject when they were students, and expect the same level of success from their own children or siblings.
This can cause immense amounts of pressure, which can lead to an individual feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and defeated. If the expectations are too unrealistic, this can further exacerbate the problem, making it increasingly difficult for the individual to enjoy math, and make them “weaker” in the subject.
12. Misguided Beliefs
Beliefs and opinions can also play a huge part in why some people are “weak” in mathematics. For instance, some people believe that math is something that some people “get” and others simply do not, and this “you either have it or you don’t” attitude leads to them feeling unmotivated and demoralized. Furthermore, many people see math to be something incredibly difficult which requires lots of serious effort and brains, and this can make them feel helpless and inadequate.
If people don’t develop positive attitudes towards math and put too much focus on how challenging the subject can be, this can make it increasingly more difficult for them to strive in the subject.
13. Poor Reviewing Process
Finally, one of the most important components of mathematics is the ability to continually review and work upon the topics that have already been covered. For some people, this might be a more difficult prospect, as they might not have the opportunity of practicing questions again and improving their understanding.
For instance, some individuals might have gaps in their studies of math due to particular circumstances, such as illness or injury, and as such, their reviewing process may be weaker as a result. This can make it difficult for them to keep on track with their studies, as well as continue to deepen their understanding of the subject. Conclusion: In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that can contribute to why some people may be “weak” in math.
It’s important to understand that there are multiple layers to this, and that in many cases individuals’ weaker math abilities may be more down to emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors than intelligence. It’s also important to note that each individual’s capabilities when it comes to math will vary, and that it should not be used to judge anyone in any capacity.