Learning Mathematics -as a matter of psychology?

Question

Hi,

I guess this is two questions:

I can't help but wonder if there is some type of fundamental psychological requirement needed in order for mathematics to "click" in order for someone to learn mathematics to begin with. I have a desire to learn mathematics, but I just can not seem to catch on to how mathematics equates on higher levels of complication.
I believe that once I learn mathematics to its fullest potential, I will be able to accomplish nearly anything scientifically, theoretically or universally. I envision being able to understand so much more of the world around me... if I could only understand math.
Can someone explain to me how I might begin to learn mathematics, when mathematics has never "clicked" for me and is it possible that it will "click" for me if I just keep on trying?
Is my rationalization of envisioning my understanding of the world in a more heightend way accurate with regard to understanding mathematics?

Answer 1

emma j said:
"The 'Whiz Kid' mathematicians USUALLY make the WORST teachers coz they can't understand why you don't understand."

I could not have said it better.

In my experience, there's more than one "click." It's not as if you just "get" the whole idea in one flash of insight. I can tell you that I was quite a poor math student when I took algebra in middle & high school; but then in college I did much better and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in mathematical physics. Looking back, I think much of the early problem (in my case at least) was that the math was taught poorly--or at least in a way that didn't make sense to me. I have a hard time learning anything if I can't see "why" such-and-such is true; and unfortunately many math teachers simply teach you to memorize rules, and are poor at explaining the underlying logic and the practical applications of those rules.

What helped ME is to use additional resources besides my teachers and textbooks. After doing poorly in math, I read a book called "Realm of Algebra" by the great Isaac Asimov; and that completely turned around my outlook on math. That was the first "click," and it was followed by many little "clicks" in the subsequent years.

The other thing that helped me was to confront real-world problems that required math. My desire to solve the problems forced me to do the practice work, and to see the practical applications, and (for me) that's what makes a concept "stick." At the same time I was taking calculus classes, I was also taking physics classes in which calculus was relevant to the most interesting problems. That real-world connection helped me a lot.

Answer 2

Steady Eddy!!

- don't get too high falutin'. Maths is just Maths after all.

seriously though, an understanding of mathematical principles helps enormously with a technical understanding of the world around you. Humility and willingness to learn help too.

For it to "click" you need a really good teacher who can explain things in the ways YOU need to be able to understand.

Like optical illusions, I fine that most problems suddenly come into focus once find the right way of looking at them/thinking about them.

The 'Whiz Kid' mathematicians USUALLY make the WORST teachers coz they can't understand why you don't understand.

Take Heart - Einstein is said to have said that he could'nt understand a problem unless he could first 'see' the problem.

It's worth the struggle...
... good luck!!

Answer 3

While I respect RickB's answer, and I've known a lot of people who like to visualise maths in the 'real-world', when I was young I preferred pure maths rather than applied, and I suspect this is an aspect of my psychology.
I like the phrase 'the beauty of number' (it's a quote from someone but I'm not sure from whom). It means that mathemathics has an inner beauty which is of itself, you don't need to relate it to anything.
For example
11 X 11 = 121
111 X 111 = 12321
1111 X 1111 = 1234321
11111 X 11111 = 123454321
111111 X 111111 = 12345654321

etc.
Isn't that beautiful ?

Answer 4

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