Why am I so bad at math, but I do well in the social sciences?

Question

I'm stuck in remedial math courses in college, but I get straight A's in social sciences and humanities.

Does this happen to any of you?

Answer 1

well, i just got an A in psychology and a C+ in elementary algebra. so, i know what you mean. i learned in my psych class that people can have a math learning disability. maybe that is it. it doesn't have to do with intelligence, it just has to do with not being able to process math.

or maybe it is intelligence. do you know Gardner's theory of multiple intellegences? (if not, look it up). maybe math just isn't your strong point.

hope this answer helped!

Answer 2

This is a question I really relate to. I went back to college after my children were almost grown--like you, straight As in psychology, political science, social services, western civilizations (also writing and Journalism 101). When I took algebra, I got an F. Then I went back and took an easier algebra--another F. I just don't understand it--and it seems much more complicated than when I took it way back in the 9th grade.

I only take one or two classes per year currently, and have not yet taken a science. I am sure that I will not do well in that area, either--and am dreading it.

It has something to do with that 'left-brain/right-brain" stuff. Now my nephew just graduated college, and was always two years ahead in math--but could not achieve A's in sociology, psychology, any histories, (or writing), having been a straight A student throughout his school years, before college.

The reason I went back to college to begin with, was because I'd been homeschooling my two youngest children. I had to send them back to a (terrible) school, because I could not master the math--and they make such a big deal of it these days.

Answer 3

It's the same way for me. I think it's because the social sciences are more interpretive, and in math there's usually a certain way you have to go about doing things, and if you don't get it, you screw up the problems you have to do.

Answer 4

I think it got to do with the teacher for you. Some instructors are so bad with instructions. You need to find yourself some help that will help you to understand. English and Math should be fun classes when you know what you are doing. To have high scores in those classes are rewarding and producing an encouragement.

Answer 5

To do good in math you need to study every day and not to skip lessons. Math is as a rope all connected together. If something is broken, means you do not know in math because you skipped that lessons which are connected with each other. To be good in math you need to be systematic and do not skip anything. Try what I am telling you and you are going to be better in math.

Answer 6

It did many years ago. I received an A in English and failed Algebra and had a D in Zoology. You must be a creative person, many people who write etc. are not good in Mathematics etc. I did not graduate, I am fluent in two languages and write well in both languages. English is my second language. Don't get discouraged but count your strengths and be happy that you are a creative person. Good Luck.