Comments on: It’s fun to hate math http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106 Mathematics, learning, computing, travel - and whatever... Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Stephen http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-378925 Stephen Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:07:26 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-378925 The question "hate math?" refers to the financial mathematics involved in optimizing a portfolio. They are offering to take care of this onerous work for you, so you can sit back and enjoy earning money. I love math, but I can’t see the advertisement as an attack on mathematics. The question “hate math?” refers to the financial mathematics involved in optimizing a portfolio. They are offering to take care of this onerous work for you, so you can sit back and enjoy earning money. I love math, but I can’t see the advertisement as an attack on mathematics.

]]> By: Murray http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-369558 Murray Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:21:49 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-369558 @Jake: Thanks for your story. A key issue you raise is that most students (and yes, I mean most) are not ready developmentally for the math they are asked to do throughout school, hence struggle. In your case, you re-visited math when you were older and you were highly motivated to succeed this time. I'm not sure I go as far as to agree "The study of mathematics in general should be taught only to those who actually enjoy it", but it's certainly true that many students are put through some unnecessary hardships. @Jake: Thanks for your story. A key issue you raise is that most students (and yes, I mean most) are not ready developmentally for the math they are asked to do throughout school, hence struggle. In your case, you re-visited math when you were older and you were highly motivated to succeed this time.

I’m not sure I go as far as to agree “The study of mathematics in general should be taught only to those who actually enjoy it”, but it’s certainly true that many students are put through some unnecessary hardships.

]]> By: Jake http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-369532 Jake Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:03:15 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-369532 Its funny, I was one of those people in high school and middle school who was considered "unteachable" when it came to the subject of algebra. I graduated by the "short and curlies" so to speak. I joined the work force as a general laborer, quite possibly the most grueling job one could do. It was HORRIBLE, so i went to college. I think that the folks on here that have said there was no use for mathematics must be pretty shortsighted. What they don't realize is that without the most hated of subjects their lives would not exist as they do in a modern context. None of this conflagration would have occurred without the assistance of algebra. Algebra is the fundamental basis for the tremendously powerful tools of calculus, trigonometry, and differential equations. Discrete mathematics is responsible for the operating system you are currently using to browse the web. The study of mathematics in general should be taught only to those who actually enjoy it and, who can mentally handle its rigors. It not out of the ordinary for people to be frustrated by their studies. One must be mature enough to handle this momentary lapse in sanity and have the determination to press on. A trait uncommon in American students; which is why our nation is under economic strife. Its funny, I was one of those people in high school and middle school who was considered “unteachable” when it came to the subject of algebra. I graduated by the
“short and curlies” so to speak. I joined the work force as a general laborer, quite possibly the most grueling job one could do. It was HORRIBLE, so i went to college. I think that the folks on here that have said there was no use for mathematics must be pretty shortsighted. What they don’t realize is that without the most hated of subjects their lives would not exist as they do in a modern context. None of this conflagration would have occurred without the assistance of algebra. Algebra is the fundamental basis for the tremendously powerful tools of calculus, trigonometry, and differential equations. Discrete mathematics is responsible for the operating system you are currently using to browse the web.
The study of mathematics in general should be taught only to those who actually enjoy it and, who can mentally handle its rigors. It not out of the ordinary for people to be frustrated by their studies. One must be mature enough to handle this momentary lapse in sanity and have the determination to press on. A trait uncommon in American students; which is why our nation is under economic strife.

]]> By: Murray http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-326267 Murray Wed, 13 Oct 2010 06:14:13 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-326267 @Praveen: Yes, the dilemma of all education - we need to introduce students to a wide variety of things, often before they are ready, in the hope they will get interested in at least some of them. But many get killed in the process, especially math. @Praveen: Yes, the dilemma of all education – we need to introduce students to a wide variety of things, often before they are ready, in the hope they will get interested in at least some of them. But many get killed in the process, especially math.

]]> By: Praveen http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-326257 Praveen Wed, 13 Oct 2010 05:31:53 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-326257 In spite of my pessimistic rant a few posts ago, I still hold on to being an 'engineering' scientist with leanings towards Math. You can't 'hate' the thing. One either makes a choice of leaving the world of Math or sticking with it. But yes, blessed are those few to whom has been presented the joy of experiencing the thing. However, as kids we don't know that. In spite of my pessimistic rant a few posts ago, I still hold on to being an ‘engineering’ scientist with leanings towards Math. You can’t ‘hate’ the thing. One either makes a choice of leaving the world of Math or sticking with it. But yes, blessed are those few to whom has been presented the joy of experiencing the thing. However, as kids we don’t know that.

]]> By: Murray http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-326220 Murray Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:54:39 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-326220 @Frans: And what's that sound I hear? Doors of opportunity slamming shut...? @Frans: And what’s that sound I hear? Doors of opportunity slamming shut…?

]]> By: Frans http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-326138 Frans Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:43:37 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-326138 I hate math too and it will never takes any place in my heart.because math similar with jobless and only fool people who like to think 'bout it.this life already difficult and why we want to make it more?crazy and freak math! I hate math too and it will never takes any place in my heart.because math similar with jobless and only fool people who like to think ’bout it.this life already difficult and why we want to make it more?crazy and freak math!

]]> By: Estrella http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-255438 Estrella Sat, 17 Apr 2010 04:18:06 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-255438 hahahahahaha i used to be a math wiz in elementary but once i started middle school it all went downhill from there now im in algebra and i hate class even though i sit in the front, it just doesnt grab my attention anymore and i cant stand math anymore!!!!!!!!! hahahahahaha i used to be a math wiz in elementary but once i started middle school it all went downhill from there
now im in algebra and i hate class even though i sit in the front, it just doesnt grab my attention anymore and i cant stand math anymore!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Kabaxi http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-90376 Kabaxi Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:58:05 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-90376 You can use algebra to guide laser's to a target - and possibly the target is highly radioactive... I suppose the only things most people want to guide their hands towards is... Okay you know. You can use algebra to guide laser’s to a target – and possibly the target is highly radioactive… I suppose the only things most people want to guide their hands towards is… Okay you know.

]]> By: Murray http://www.squarecirclez.com/blog/its-fun-to-hate-math/106/comment-page-1#comment-89724 Murray Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:58:22 +0000 http://squarecirclez.com/blog/?p=106#comment-89724 Thanks for your enthusiasm, Darren! You're so right - we are consumers (and users) of math every day. Thanks for your enthusiasm, Darren! You’re so right – we are consumers (and users) of math every day.

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