You're Not Bad At Math, You're Just Lazy

Everyone's heard someone say that they're "just not a math person." But don't believe them... it's a lie! These people are just lazy and science proves it! Trace Dominguez explains.

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The Myth of 'I'm Bad at Math'
"'I'm just not a math person.' We hear it all the time. And we've had enough. Because we believe that the idea of "math people" is the most self-destructive idea in America today. The truth is, you probably are a math person, and by thinking otherwise, you are possibly hamstringing your own career."

There's no such thing as being "good" or "bad" at math
"As an American, I was in the minority in my PhD program and I was at Columbia University. That's because I studied economics, a so-called quantitative subject. During graduate school, my fellow Americans in law school or business school often remarked about what a math genius I must be."

Math as a Language
"Writing was developed by the Sumerians approximately 5,000 years ago. At the same time, the Sumerians developed some written notation for mathematics. Writing and mathematics are brain tools--they are powerful aids to the human mind."

Second Languages Slow Brain Decline
"Speaking two languages throughout life may slow the loss of mental agility that comes with age."

A Brain Area for Visual Numerals
"Is there a distinct area within the human visual system that has a preferential response to numerals, as there is for faces, words, or scenes?"

Your Brain on Math
"Among the 100 million or so nerve cells in the brain, it turns out there is a group dedicated to making sense of numbers."

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[NightcoreLabOfficial]

I was good in math until the alphabets decided to get in

[katetelfer]

Dear Math,
Please grow up and solve your own problems because I am sick and tired of solving them for you.

[maraizato]

I’m a Math Professor, I’ve been teaching for half a decade now.
I wish it was true but it just isn’t.
There are some students who really can’t do anything above the most basic arithmetic calculations, barely any algebra. About 15% of every class.
Others can memorize the steps and repeat them with some mistakes enough to pass, but the don’t really get it. The majority of the students, sadly.
Only 20% (if lucky) really get it.
I think it’s more cruel and very stubborn to say “anyone can do math” when it just isn’t true. Some people really can’t and it’s unfair that we keep lying to them telling then that they should be able to do it, it just makes them feel stupid, like there’s something wrong with them. They may be talented in something else like literature, history, art or sports. They should focus on becoming the best at it, instead of keep butchering their self stem forcing themselves to fly when they don’t have wings. That doesn’t make them any less valuable of course.

[laerkejosefine]

I study so hard but no matter what I do I just don’t understand it

[sotoskun]

the problem is with the educational systems.most of them just DO math they dont make us learn math or WHY we must use a method or for what reason we do that.THATS learning.but most of us we spent hours days months just copying numbers and equations from a blackboard having no idea why we do

[bbc_junior]

Math is still the most frustrating subject. High school would be significantly less stressful if it wasn’t for math.

[Chris-iqpr]

Math really does stress me out and ruin my day

[THE______TRUTH]

I used to be one of the people who "was not a math person" I barely used to pass math and it gave me anxiety, then I started to look at it differently for some reason it became more like a puzzle and I started acing it. I dont think its about people being lazy I think its about teachers being fucking horrible and not teaching in diverse and creative ways, teachers make math painful.

[kidkidkudo]

*Nah* I'm pretty sure I'm just bad at math

[noonebossesthegarnet]

What’s the subject you are best at?

Me: Reading!
Everyone else in my class: Math!
Me: *cries*

[nia]

This really makes me upset because I am passing all my other classes except for math (Calculus). I have always had a hard time with math since i was young. It is hard for me to understand certain formulas and number systems. I am in 12th grade and still can't do math. Even though I will not pursue anything involving this stuff I would still like to get better and just can't. I hate being called lazy when I try so hard and still can't seem to understand. So I had a whole group meeting with my teachers and counselors and even learning support and they said I have a disability in math, Which I was confused at first because I did not know it was a real thing, but it is. It's hard for me to register certain equations and numbers in math problems. So I have been living with this since 2nd grade and I am just finding out about it now in 12th grade. I think it is rude calling people lazy because they can't do math. When there are many reasons as to why. No matter how many times I study or get tutored I still won't understand and that just the way it is for me. So I tend to give up knowing I am not going to get any better. So please don't make people feel dumb just because they are not good at math and call them lazy when I am sure it's just hard for them.

[celestialbunny]

Everyone is allowed to not like English and Social Studies but once you dont like math everyone gets all triggered

[mairinodonoghue]

Some people have the ability to understand maths much easier than others, now because some of us may not understand maths we are lazy? When we spend hours worrying&trying & studying to no avail.

[ChaR_OfTheKRn]

Maths honestly stresses me out so much, so much that its got to the point where I have genuinely cried because I just don’t understand it

[cherry]

Then explain why I've been studying the same process over and over again and still don't get it?

[dontloginonmycomputerevera]

I was good at math until they added in the alphabet...

[ShadowDrakken]

The problem is most math teachers can't teach math. They're taught to teach math a certain way, the wrong way for everyone, and don't learn to teach it any of the other ways or adjust to individual students.

[Ecua]

My term report card.

English:92
Us history:98
Biology:84
Spanish:86
Math:61

[NhN-jwtu]

I'm hurting myself sitting in a math class everyday.

[pinkpanties]

What about people like me who will literally sit there for hours trying to learn math & retain all of the information? I don't think I'm lazy, I'm just one of those people who simply can't grasp mathematical concepts. I can't even do simple math. When I look at a page with too many numbers and formulas on it, I instantly get a headache. It's like my brain refuses to process the information properly and everything just gets all scrambled. I hate to admit it, but I have given up on trying for the sake of my sanity. I'm an all or nothing kind of person. There's no in between. If I'm trying to be good at something, I'll obsess over it & if I can't reach my goal, I'll hate myself & become lethargic, then hate myself even more because I allowed myself to get fizzled out. Sometimes I feel like I'm stupid because I struggle in all of the other subjects too.