Overcome Feeling Discouraged in Math

[motai]

I used to feel discouraged back in elementary school, and math wasn't particularly my forte. My arithmetic was not that great and I still take longer than my classmates at number-crunching in my head. I prefer to take out a pencil and paper and work it out from there at my own turtle pace.

I don't have lightning-fast math reflexes (which hurts me at the SAT) but I enjoy doing math. Most of the band people look at me strange when I call acceleration by the name of "second derivative of the position function" and give me equally strange looks when I end up derivating functions on the entire whiteboard in band. Some of them emphatically said to me "What is THAT??!" and then I end up (trying) to teach them basic calculus, but most of the time they end up not listening to me and continuing with their business.

Im not so concerned about my GPA as much as I am focusing on learning the material. If it is understood, it will come together by itself. As stated by other members time and time again, ask questions. It seems like struggling over questions is part of the learning process, but it is the best way to make one better at this subject.

 

[mathwonk]

If all continuous functions are integrable, and if e^(x^2) is continuous, then what are we to make of the statement that "you cannot integrate e^(x^2)"? [eh?Theelectricchild]

 

[Theelectricchild]

fine i forgot the square root.

 

[trancefishy]

i just want to say, i just got done with a problem that was particularly challenging. looking back, i don't really see what was so difficult, now, but, when you're in the middle of it, you question things...
anyhow, i got done, and wrote "solved.", which was really nice. but then i stood up and was like "hmm, now what...". i love the feeling of solving things, along with the discouraging crap that goes along with it, roads that lead to nowhere, etc, but then, afterwards, i feel like, empty, without something to work on.

another thing, solving integrals using new methods in the textbook are boring. it's like, ok, i got this definite integral in 16 steps and 3 substitutions and a triangle, and here it is. the answer. how boring. anything involving a story or words is really fun though, because you get to construct information and and relate things to one another in new and exciting ways. now I'm rambling. sorrry..

 

[Chrono]

I used to feel discouraged back in elementary school, and math wasn't particularly my forte. My arithmetic was not that great and I still take longer than my classmates at number-crunching in my head. I prefer to take out a pencil and paper and work it out from there at my own turtle pace.

I used to be the same way. Still am, actually. People in my class take only seconds to do things like that and I'd have to think about it for a minute or two.

 

[JasonRox]

I used to be the same way. Still am, actually. People in my class take only seconds to do things like that and I'd have to think about it for a minute or two.

Forget about girls, than you can calculated lightning fast!

 

[Theelectricchild]

Thats not necessarily true! Sometimes thinking about them can help you concentrate!

 

[Chrono]

Forget about girls, than you can calculated lightning fast!

Usually, I include them in the calculuation. The critical points of her curves are...

 

[Theelectricchild]

Boooo! Hahha.

 

[Chrono]

Boooo! Hahha.

You made me lose my concentration. Now I have to start over again, which isn't a bad thing concerning how good she looks.

 

[JasonRox]

Usually, I include them in the calculuation. The critical points of her curves are...

I'm sure after a few years of mathematics we will be able to build one using functions only, and also prove that it's a girl.

 

[Chrono]

I'm sure after a few years of mathematics we will be able to build one using functions only, and also prove that it's a girl.

I'm not very good on my proofs.

 

[danitaber]

I'm not very good on my proofs.

Then allow me to suggest the following:
1)Wait until a *real* girl has a bad day.
2)Offer to help her with her math.
3)Ask her sensitive questions until she starts crying.

If you can't take it from there, proofs aren't your only problem.

 

[Chrono]

2)Offer to help her with her math.

I've been doing that. That's the only thing that's barely keeping me in. Of course, they've yet to ask me for help.

 

[cogito²]

I was wondering if any of you were ever discouraged in math. I mean, you're sitting there in lecture and just feel like you're never going to get it. I haven't really had that happen, but I think it might sometime. How could you overcome that?

shall i call the wammmbulance?


jk. just hang in there.

 

[Chrono]

shall i call the wammmbulance?

You think they'll help?

 

[cogito²]

they've been pretty helpful in the past...

 

[Chrono]

they've been pretty helpful in the past...

Sounds like you've had some experience.

 

[cogito²]

yes yes :(

fred the driver is really nice though

 

[Chrono]

If you can't take it from there, proofs aren't your only problem.

I've been doing some thinking on this and I believe you're right. I'm so screwed!