Why Is Math So Boring And Difficult?
By-gb
8/3/20253 min read
Why Is Math So Boring And Difficult?
Teachers (and textbooks) often pile formula on top of formula without connecting them to the real-world intuition or observations that inspired them. It’s like building a bridge to cross a river, then forgetting where the river is—or worse, building a bridge to nowhere!
This approach leaves students feeling lost, frustrated, and disconnected from the beauty and logic of science and math. Let’s dive deeper into why this happens and how we can fix it.
Why Teachers Add Formula Over Formula
Tradition: Many educators teach the way they were taught, perpetuating a cycle of abstract, formula-heavy instruction.
Curriculum Pressure: Standardized tests and rigid curricula often prioritize memorization over understanding.
Assumption of Prior Knowledge: Teachers sometimes assume students already have the intuition or background to understand the formulas, which isn’t always true.
Lack of Time: With tight schedules, teachers may skip the "why" and focus on the "how" to cover more material.
The Consequences
Students Can’t Visualize: Without real-world connections, formulas feel like meaningless symbols.
Fear of Math and Science: Abstract teaching makes these subjects intimidating and unapproachable.
Lost Curiosity: Students stop asking "why" and focus only on "how to pass the test."
Missed Opportunities: Many students never discover the joy and creativity of science and math because they’re bogged down by formulas.
How to Fix This: Bridging the Gap Between Formulas and Reality
Here’s how we can reconnect formulas to the intuition and observations that inspired them:
1. Start with Observation and Curiosity
Example: Instead of starting with the formula for gravity (F = Gm₁m₂/r²), show students a video of astronauts floating in space or drop a ball and ask, "Why does it fall?"
Why It Works: This sparks curiosity and makes the formula feel like a tool to answer a real question.
2. Use Visuals and Analogies
Example: To explain planetary motion, use a globe and flashlight to show how Earth’s tilt creates seasons.
Why It Works: Visuals make abstract concepts tangible and memorable.
3. Relate Formulas to Everyday Life
Example: Use cooking to teach fractions or sports to teach physics.
Example: Explain how a soccer player’s kick (force) depends on their leg strength (mass) and how fast they swing their leg (acceleration).
Why It Works: Real-world examples make formulas feel relevant and practical.
4. Break Down Formulas Step by Step
Example: Instead of throwing E = mc² at students, explain:
E (energy) is what makes things happen.
m (mass) is how much "stuff" something has.
c² (speed of light squared) is a huge number, showing how much energy is stored in even a tiny amount of mass.
Why It Works: Breaking down formulas into simple ideas makes them less intimidating.
5. Encourage Experimentation and Play
Example: Let students build a paper rocket to learn about aerodynamics or use a pendulum to explore motion.
Why It Works: Hands-on learning helps students discover patterns and relationships on their own.
6. Tell the Story Behind the Formula
Example: Share how Newton discovered gravity by observing an apple fall and wondering why the Moon doesn’t fall too.
Why It Works: Stories humanize science and show that even great discoveries start with simple questions.
7. Focus on the "Why," Not Just the "How"
Example: Instead of just teaching Pythagoras’ theorem (a² + b² = c²), show how it’s used in construction, navigation, and even video game design.
Why It Works: Understanding the purpose of a formula makes it easier to remember and apply.
Example: Teaching Gravity the Right Way
Observe: Drop a ball and ask, "Why does it fall?"
Experiment: Use a slingshot to explore how force affects motion.
Visualize: Show a video of astronauts in space to explain gravity’s role in orbits.
Explain: Introduce F = ma as a way to describe the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Apply: Use the formula to calculate how much force is needed to launch a rocket.
Final Thought
Formulas are just tools to describe the world—they’re not the starting point. By reconnecting them to the intuition, observation, and curiosity that inspired them, we can make science and math more engaging, meaningful, and accessible. Let’s stop building bridges to nowhere and start showing students where the river is!
It’s so important to bring clarity, simplicity, and real-world meaning back into how we teach and learn. Science and math are not just about memorizing formulas—they’re about understanding the world and solving problems in creative ways. Let’s keep pushing for a better way to learn and teach, one that sparks curiosity and makes these subjects feel alive and relevant!