Reasons Why It Is So Hard To Cope With Math Assignments

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Math problems can be frustrating, even for A-students. We can spend hours searching for the right answer. Many students ask for math assignment help when they realize they can’t do it on their own. So why is this academic subject so difficult for us? Let’s figure it out together.

It’s hard to find examples in real life

Mathematics is quite abstract. It is easy for us to find solutions to problems that are close to us or that somehow overlap with real life. However, the period when we need to calculate who has more apples will pass quickly, and math is filled with complex formulas, algorithms, and abstraction. We have trouble imagining how to use theorems and mathematical concepts in life. This is what causes difficulties in solving mathematical problems for people who have poorly developed abstract and logical thinking.

Knowledge Gaps

Learning math is like building a bridge. If the foundation is not laid correctly and the piles wobble, that bridge will collapse. In math, it is important to understand the basic concepts that lay the foundation. The most common problem in learning math is that students don’t understand the core notions or don’t try to understand them. So, after skipping a few topics, students are often stumped by the fact that they cannot move on. One small unfilled gap in your studies can lead to struggles. So, if you’re having trouble doing your homework, try to find that one gap that’s keeping you from moving forward.

There is no “almost” right answer

Mathematics is a rather definite subject. There is only one correct answer to a problem, and you can spend a lot of time looking for it. However, even time does not guarantee correctness. It often leads to burnout and decreased motivation. Therefore, students are often biased towards the subject, and doing homework becomes torture.

Difficulties with Attention

As the material becomes more complex, math requires more attention, focus, and engagement. Tasks become more complex, consisting of stages, performing sequential steps to find the correct answer. For students with poor concentration, there is the problem of absorbing the material in class. As a result, they may miss one little nuance in the step-by-step problem solving, which leads to difficulty working independently. And as we remember, math is like construction. Missing even one small brick can lead to destruction.

Misunderstanding of Concepts

Students often memorize the steps of doing certain things but do not understand why they are doing them and how it helps in solving the problem. For example, a student may remember that 5 x 5 = 25 but not understand the whole concept of multiplication. Imagine what will happen with more complex formulas if the student has a problem while understanding the concepts of division or multiplication. That’s why it’s important to explain the essence of a particular mathematical operation in detail so that students don’t just remember how to solve it but understand why it needs to be done that way.

Will I need it in life?

We can imagine how basic math knowledge — the multiplication table, percent extraction, etc. — might come in handy in life. However, when it comes to more complex material, students lose the thread of using that data in practice. This leads to a loss of learning motivation and, as a result, problems with math homework.

Lack of practice

Learning math can be compared to learning languages. You need a lot of practice to get your actions to automaticity and understanding of how to do things. Students often have a false idea that they understand the concept and don’t practice it enough. This leads to difficulty solving math problems in the future. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill for learning math. You just need a lot of practice and patience.

Math is complicated

Students initially plant a negative mental image in their heads that math is necessarily difficult. As a result, it makes them insecure about their abilities and reduces their grades and motivation. Another aspect of this can also be a pattern of thinking that you are humanities major and that math should be harder for you than literature. This leads students to initially study with low expectations for their own abilities.

Not aware of their mistakes

Students need to be aware of their development and their accomplishments. People with executive function problems cannot analyze their performance. It simply can’t occur to them that the answer doesn’t make sense, and they need to find their mistake or ask for help. Students with this problem may not check their homework for errors and correct actions. Because of this, their academic performance and desire to work on math problems more thoroughly decreases.

How to make solving math problems easier?

First of all, you should get rid of negative thoughts, remove all possible sources of distraction, and concentrate on your studies.

Before you start solving a math problem, review the material you’ve covered and highlight the main things. If you have questions about concepts and rules you don’t understand, read more about them in textbooks and additional literature.

Carefully read the conditions of the problem and make sure you understand what is required of you. Write down the conditions on a draft and work through the solution algorithm.

If you encounter difficulties as you are solving the assignment, try to find the reason and look for ways to solve similar problems in textbooks and educational materials. Try to avoid using ready-made answers because you will never learn the material, and it will negatively affect your further learning.

Do not rush to close your notebook as soon as you have solved the problem. Check your actions one more time. Often, a short correct answer is given at the end of the textbook. Check to see if it matches yours, and don’t despair if it doesn’t.

If understanding math and doing your homework is constantly causing you struggles, consider enrolling in additional courses or private lessons with a tutor.