Trouble With Math? Do Not Give Up

While substituting for a middle school math class a couple of years ago, I told the students basically what I’m writing about in this post.

I have had this same conversation with so many adults that I can’t even begin to count.

And, of course, kids also need to know this.

I have no doubt that their teachers have said and will continue to say the same thing, but I believe it can’t be repeated enough.

Do not give up!

When you have trouble understanding math, do not give up.

The problem is probably not what you are working on at the moment, but something more basic.

For example, one day while tutoring math at a junior college, a student wanted me to show him how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide algebraic fractions.

He was in College Algebra.

He was struggling with it.

As I was tutoring him, I realized something.

He did not know how to add, subtract, multiply, or divide regular fractions.

I’m talking about 1/4 plus 1/3.

The majority of students understand that that is where the problem is and are ready to learn that, but this particular student was so angry at me.

He said that he does not need to learn that in order to do the algebraic fractions.

Even though he was rude, I knew it was out of frustration.

I felt sorry for him.

Hopefully, later, he will realize what he needs to do to continue with his education.

Therein lies the problem.

OR solution??

Math is like building blocks.

You need to know each level of math thoroughly.

If you go to the next level without understanding the previous level, you will struggle and have trouble forever.

Just like blocks, if you put a block on top and the block below is not solid and square, then eventually the unsteady tower of blocks will fall.

As a math tutor at another college, I tutored a woman in Algebra.

She was struggling and just could not understand the concepts.

I also found that she was having trouble with fractions.

(Yep. There are those darn fractions again. LOL)

I explained to her how math works, and she was willing to work on learning basic fractions.

She learned and was able to work with basic fractions.

And then a funny thing happened.

When we started working on algebra, she understood the concepts.

As she was learning more and more basic math, understanding the algebraic concepts and solving those problems came naturally to her.

It was amazing.

When you learn, understand, and practice each level of math in order, you will not struggle.

It will become natural, and your experience with math will be fun and rewarding.

Lesson here: Having trouble with math?

By all means, do not give up!

Just go to the more basic levels and make sure you totally understand them before proceeding.