Mathematics is an essential subject for a decent academic performance. Students usually find it hard to understand the concepts and apply them in mathematical problems or equations. This can lead to difficulties in solving rudimentary numerical tasks during exams.
Although some students have difficulties grasping the concepts, others succeed in learning mathematics without facing any difficulty. People have been debating the issue of whether dealing with mathematics is innate or due to the acquired skills.
In this article, we will discuss the concept of “struggling with math” and the factors affecting it. We will further explain whether it is genetic or something that can be learned.
What is Struggling With Math?
Struggling with math is a typical problem encountered by many students. It could be the difficulty in comprehending the mathematical principles or the complex word problems. Most students try to study the topics themselves if they face difficulty, while others turn to suitable study material.
Some even rely on their parents and teachers to show them the right way to solve the mathematical problems. However, it is important to identify the right cause of struggle so that an effective course of action can be taken to overcome the issues.
Factors Affecting Struggling With Math
There are several factors that could be causing students to struggle with mathematics. Some of these are:
Lack of Knowledge: Some students fail to comprehend the mathematical concepts because of the lack of knowledge. Although most of the students receive basic education in mathematics, some fail to grasp the complex concepts that are needed for developing problem-solving skills.
Unclear Learning: Another factor that contributes to the struggle with mathematics is the lack of understanding. Students need to have a clear understanding of the principles and application of the concepts to solve the problems.
Teachers in most of the schools do not pay much attention to explain the concepts fully and leave the students confused. Unimaginative Teaching: Another factor affecting the struggle with mathematics is the poor teaching quality.
If the teachers are not able to explain the complex concepts clearly, the students end up struggling with the topics. Unimaginative teaching can also lead to the formation of negative attitude towards mathematics and the student may not be encouraged to study the subject.
The Role of Genetics
The debate over the role of genetics in dealing with mathematics is still on-going. Although some people believe that it is genetic and individuals are born with certain skills, others have argued that genetics have nothing to do with it.
While it is true that some people have a natural inclination towards studying mathematics, it is not necessarily due to the genes. Rather, it is the training and the learning acquired by repeated practice that enables them to perform better in math. Most scientists believe that math abilities are learned and not genetic, but at the same time, they agree that the inherited or innate intelligence has a major role to play.
They have observed that some people with low IQ have shown an innate ability to understand and solve sophisticated math problems whereas people with high IQs may not have the same capability. This indicates that people do have some genetic traits that can help them to understand and solve math problems, but it all comes down to their determination and hard work.
Strategies to Develop Math Skills
To improve the mathematical skills, there are certain strategies that need to be adopted. Firstly, students should understand the concepts of mathematics by studying and practicing the topics regularly. In addition, it is also important to stay organized and keep a track of progress.
The student should set specific goals and prepare a study plan to track their improvement. It is further recommended to get guidance from teachers or parents if a student is facing difficulty in understanding the concepts.
This can help the student to learn efficiently and in a short period. Additionally, avoiding distractions and focusing on the topics can also aid in developing a better understanding of the subject.
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be said that struggling with mathematics could be due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the subject. Therefore, it is important to focus on the concepts to achieve better mathematical skills.
Genetics do have a small role in it, but it is mostly the acquired skills which decide the level of understanding of mathematics. With the correct strategies and determination, it is possible to improve math skills and perform better.