{"id":180,"date":"2009-04-27T16:43:55","date_gmt":"2009-04-27T20:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mathgradblog.williams.edu\/?p=180"},"modified":"2009-04-27T16:43:55","modified_gmt":"2009-04-27T20:43:55","slug":"how-to-deal-with-i-hate-math","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/2009\/04\/27\/how-to-deal-with-i-hate-math\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal with “I Hate Math”"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Brie Finegold<\/a><\/p>\n

In a recent discussion with a group of graduate and undergraduate\u00a0students in mathematics, we came to the following conclusions about how\u00a0to respond to those who tell you “I hate math”, which can seem like a\u00a0real conversation-stopper if you do math all day \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

1) Keep in mind that people probably don’t hate math– They hate the tests\u00a0they did poorly on and the algebra homework they had to do in high school.\u00a0So you might – gasp! – agree with them that you weren’t that keen on high\u00a0school math either but that there is more than that. \u00a0Then you can\u00a0elaborate.<\/p>\n

2) Try to tell them about some cool math without using words like\u00a0“theorem”, “algorithm”,\u00a0“differential equation”, etc…. Make a Mobius Strip and cut it in\u00a0half! \u00a0Or ask them to “appreciate” math for what is does even if they\u00a0don’t like doing it\u2014point out the role of mathematics in something like\u00a0the movie industry (avoid talking about finance).<\/p>\n

3) Ask them to think about the strength of the word they are using, and\u00a0whether they really do actually “hate” math? \u00a0Did they have a bad\u00a0experience in a math class? \u00a0Do they have any idea what mathematicians DO?<\/p>\n

4) Ask them what they do all day, and then quickly say “Oh I HATE that!”\u00a0Ok, just kidding!<\/p>\n

5) Make an analogy: \u00a0Tell them that the math they learned in school is\u00a0related to higher mathematics in the same way that grammar is related to\u00a0great literature.<\/p>\n

6) Speak about your love of mathematics and how it relates PHILOSOPHICALLY\u00a0to other aspects of your life.<\/p>\n

7) Say “Don’t be a hater!” \u00a0Then have a laugh and change the subject or\u00a0see #4.<\/p>\n

Please add more ideas! \u00a0And if you were at our discussion, and I left out\u00a0something we said, please add it back in!<\/p>\n

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By Brie Finegold In a recent discussion with a group of graduate and undergraduate\u00a0students in mathematics, we came to the following conclusions about how\u00a0to respond to those who tell you “I hate math”, which can seem like a\u00a0real conversation-stopper if … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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