Do you think that some people are just more gifted than others at math and science?

Question

I am almost 26 and have never been good at math. Barely got past basic algebra in high school. I struggled and fought and still barely passed. When I graduated I wanted to do something without lots of higher math. Unfortunately that's where many of the good jobs are. That may be why I'm making $12.50 an hour. Some people always seemed to be brilliant at math with little effort. Is it genetics that make some better at math? I don't know, but perhaps I have a learning disability.

Answer 1

Maybe. I always wondered about the same thing.
I was one of those kids in high school that got all A's in every subject except for math where I usually got D's and F's. I also failed most science tests when we needed to use equations. I also cheated like crazy in biology and would still fail the tests. I chose to take Algebra II in 12th grade and didn't even get credit for the class because I failed it so badly but at the same time, I was taking college level English and History classes where I got A's.

I was in 'advanced placement' classes for some subjects but one step above the remedial level when it came to math. The only reason I could come up with was that I didn't study enough (?). All I had to do was listen a bit when it came to most subjects and I would just be able to remember everything. I would listen in math and even take notes but I just could NOT understand it. A lot of times, I would get the answer correct on a math test but have it marked 'wrong' because I didn't use the proper equations to get the answer. I would figure things out my own way which was not acceptable for whatever reason. Even with the SATs, I got something around 700 on the English/writing part but only a low 500-something on the math section. I also think maybe I had some sort of learning disability when it came to math but no one ever mentioned that to me back when I was in school.

Answer 2

Yeah I think that some people are just gifted in those areas. I am 17 and am having a hard time passing algerbra 2. I actually have to bring my book home to study for tests, while a lot of people never have to study for these type of tests. i dont know, I think I will have a hard time doing anything in college dealing with higher than Algerbra 2. Your either really smart in math or you dont get the good jobs. I guess thats the only way for there to be any competition for the best jobs.

Answer 3

I think everyone has talents, some are more talented a "physical" things, like building, cooking, etc. whereas others are more talented at "abstract" things, like doing math. It doesn't mean that they can't ever learn to do math, it just means that it is more of a struggle for them to learn it. And math or science, just like anything else, takes practice to become good at it. You can just do one math problem, not get it right and say I'm no good at math, you have to continue to try to solve problems and if you get them wrong, go back and do it again until you get it right.

Answer 4

it is just the way they think.. my brother slept in trig class.. he made A's... I couldnt do algebra without pulling my hair out of my head... everything like that came easy for him.. I did well in biology and most science... math just kicked my tail.. and yes I know... I do science so I use alot of math... but I really really suck at it

Answer 5

Have you ever read: The Seven Intelligences? It describes this age old question and answers it. It has categories of the intelligences such as linguistic, physical/kinetic, mathematical, etc. Take a look at this website:
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005704/content_la_intel_seven.php3

Answer 6

yes, but being gifted and not nurturing that gift is equivalent to not being gifted at all!