Is there a logical reason why there are some people who cannot do math?

Question

I feel that I am a fairly intelligent person and I have truly applied myself over and over but for some reason comprehending higher math eludes me.

Answer 1

it depends on the type of person you are, and what half of the brain is your dominant side. there are people who are very straightforward and mechanical, for whom math tends to be their best subject, and then there are those who are strong on their more philosophical? side, where english might be a strong subject (and the arts, etc) (this also explains why people who like algebra hate geometry--because geometry requires more "thinking outside the box" and looking beyond what's there, while algebra is very straightforward.
some people are just amazing at both..the rest of us vary.
it also has a bit to do with motivation (which you do not seem to lack) as well as interest.
but for the most part, it lies outside of your control. other than continuously trying to apply yourself, there's not much else you can do. and higher math...is pretty difficult, so don't beat yourself up over it!!

Answer 2

Some people are just naturally better than others at visualising 3D images in their head, or grasping formal logic, or simply having the patience to sit down and solve a math problem.

STILL...I have met plenty of "math haters" over the years. (I almost always get negative reactions whenever the fact I went to college for math comes up in coversation.) And I have to say that most of these people are bad at math because they had really poor math education. When I meet one of these "Ew, I hate math!" people and get them to spill more details, it usually turns out that they had a really bad math teacher. If you grow up thinking math is just regurgitating tricks and patterns, and never see the awe mathematics has to offer or how to think mathematically, it can get boring fast.

Here in the U.S., it also seems socially acceptable to say "I can't do math", which is pretty sad. People use that as a convenient excuse to never learning decent math skills. I've even heard more than one woman tell me that they were told as kids, "Oh that's OK if you're bad at math, because it's a BOY subject."

I do think there are some biological answers for why some excel at math and others don't, but again, I think culture and education are much more overriding factors.

Answer 3

Not sure probably the same reason that some people are good at singing or dancing or speaking a foreign language. Maybe you haven't had the right person teach you where it has truly clicked. We all have things we catch on at faster then other things...

Answer 4

Yes. It is because your brain is trained to do more specific things...If you study your math from the beginning of the lesson you will be better at it, but you have to study it each day! I am not that smart in math but I have a 4.0 straight A's...I do get help from my friends if i dont get it or I just study it and go on here to get help!

Answer 5

That is because higher math it is not math in the sense that it is taught as arithmetic ie. numbers only. Higher math is concepts and proofs. Higher math is where all of the formulas you take for granted in arithmetic are derived.

Answer 6

I'm the same way. I was an A student in all of my classes except math. Just couldn't understand it for anything.

Answer 7

There are 2 silver crowns, so if both of the different 2 adult men said 2 silver crowns, that guy might want to comprehend his crown become gold. the first guy said a gold crown on one among the different 2, so if the third guy's crown become silver, the second one guy might want to comprehend his own crown become gold.

Answer 8

I'm such a book worm I would not consider myself dumb............but when it comes to math then yes i have been touched with the stupid stick wait not touched but beaten

Answer 9

yes, like some peeps cant sing, etc
people's brains all work differently

(I'm very good at math, and i can sing like a bird; however, plumbing, carpentry, etc. escape me)