Is math so important?
By Nor
@outfbiz (9)
Canada
April 24, 2012 12:22am CST
I love physics and chemistry,and my dream is to be a scientist,but i am not good at math,it's really difficult to me,i even failed the math tests.will it has any bad effect to my dream come true?I hope it won't.what parts of math are usually used for physics and chemistry?maybe i think i can make more effort on them.
By the way,how to do well in math?please tell me,thx.
5 people like this
24 responses
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
24 Apr 12
I am a graduate of chemistry. In our school, number of math subjects are almost the same as engineering ranging from basic algebra to trigonometry up to calculus. Math is also one of the subjects required in order to be accepted in the chemistry course. We also have physics subjects.
I think these two subjects really needs math. This can be used in some of the applications in chemistry. Now, I heard that our chemistry and math department had already agreement that whenever they gave math exams, they will ask help from the chemistry faculties so that the math exam to be given will be applied to chemistry. This is done in order for the chemistry students to easily understood the topics as well as how it will be applied to chemistry.
I don't want to discourage you in taking physics and chemistry. One of my classmate when we were in 1st year college wants to take chemistry but upon finishing the freshman course, he eventually shifted to become a veterinarian since he is not that good in math.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
24 Apr 12
I don't know how I learned well in math. When I was in my first year in high school. I got average grades in math at the start of classes but as it goes along, I am already getting better and better. Until I reach 2nd year, I joined some school contests like math quiz. It just came out. Perhaps, you just need to focus in order to understand and enjoy well the subject.
1 person likes this
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1 May 12
I've heard (from The Science Channel AND from a few Sci-Fi movies) that math is the universal language, that a mathematical idea can be understood in the same way by two different mathematicians who've never seen each other and who can't even speak the same verbal language.
So math is kind of a key for translating one area of science into another---i.e. both physicists AND chemists can see how a pair of substances interact in a formula.
And to get better at it (as asdomencil meant to say, I'm sure), PRACTICE! Just like Christians get good at ... Christianity ... by reciting Bible-verses, just like drummers get good at ... drumming ... by endless hammering; always be looking for ways to practice math!
Reciting multiplication-tables is good, and reciting division-tables (almost the same thing).
Maybe you could help kids with their math-homework. I thought of that because another thing to practice is addition-, subtraction-, multiplication- & division-by-hand. You might even buy/borrow some early math-textbooks to refresh your calculation skills.
The next thing I think of is "24," a game where a card was placed you and your opponent--a card with four numbers on it--and the first one of you to be able to use the four numbers to make 24 (using addition, subtraction, multiplication & division) would win the card.
@naija4real (1291)
•
25 Apr 12
Mathematics is a very important subject that you need to know, learn and pass before you can achieve your dream of studying engineering to become a scientist. You do not need to get frightened. Just go for some quality studying materials on Mathematics and most importantly attend a good school where the subject is taught by qualified teachers and you will end up passing the subject with flying colours. Thanks
@anggunmelati (551)
• Indonesia
9 Nov 12
I like to tell you that math is interesting lesson. But I can't get good point every time I did math examination. Do you know what I have done to increase my math skill? I learn from my friend that have amazing math skill. And in one semester, I can reach good point in my report.
@holyangels (121)
• United States
9 Nov 12
I'm a Scientist *wink*. Well, you know what, all you need to do is practice. You need to learn all the basic starting from Algebra and then Trigonometry to Calculus. You don't actually applied them once you are in the field. I mean like the actual approach in finding solution to a problem like for example Physics etc...
When you failed, you don't stop right there. You need to find out what caused your failure and you should know how to get around. In that way it will be easier for you the next time around.
Practice solving makes you good at Math.
@priyaxxx85 (108)
• India
3 Mar 13
Physics and chemistry both require a good knowledge of maths. If you dream to be a scientist, you must work hard on your math skills, with time you will be able to improve.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 12
Mathematics is essential for anyone who wishes to establish a career in such a field, so it is imperative that you make the effort to improve in the subject. I find it hard to believe that you could be good at physics without a good mathematical knowledge because a great deal of physics depends on applied mathematics. How could you manage even the basics such as calculating the resonant frequency or magnetic flux density without a respectable mathematical comprehension?
As for myself, mathematics was always my favourite subject and therefore one that I excelled at.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
26 Apr 12
Math is very important. It's one of the subjects that you can't get rid of regardless your course or Major. Even when practicing medicine or on the health field, you are bound to compute something.
I think it's goes hand in hand with Physics and Chemistry as well. My sister-in-law is a Licensed Chemist and a Practicing Physician and she says that it's all about computations. Therefore, if you'd like to be one, I think it's important that you focus on Math.
I do a little teach partime in Math as well. I am under the Finance program and we have a lot of Maths. The only thing that I could share with you is that Math isn't something you memorize, it's something that you practice. Practice makes perfect, so they say, so you need to practice it more often. You mentioned that you liked Physics, there's solving there, so you can start there then slowly or gradually allow yourself to be exposed to more Problem-Solving questions. You can find those easily in Youtube. You can search for different computation formulas around the net and I'm sure you'd understand them.
Remember, don't give up. Just do your best and strive hard to understand good basics in Math and practice everyday.
Have a great MyLot experience ahead!
@jndlponti (2402)
• Philippines
25 Apr 12
I think math is also the basic of you chem and physics... You only have to understand algebra and the rest will just go easily for you. Just like in your physics you do not need to memorize things. You only need to understand how things were done.
@Torunn (8607)
• Norway
11 Jul 12
You can get a job with experimental chemistry or physics in which you hardly need any mathematics, but to get there, you'll need it. So, if you fail, that will affect your plans I'm afraid.
It is difficult to say which part of math is more important. For physics and chemistry, you'll need algebra. I've used quite a lot of trigonemetry and integral etc in my physics studies. You might need statistics, especially if you end up doing something experimental, and for theoretical physics and for checking out theories in general numerics often come in handy.
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
11 May 12
Math is important since we use it daily, i guess. We add and subtract stuff and sometimes multiply and divide. I think most courses have the subject math in them.. Especially if yu take engineering, they have lots of math and the complicated ones too. You just have to work hard, even Physics involve math..
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
25 Apr 12
Yes, it is... You need to do a lot of practice since the other two subject will definitely use math skills in solving solutions. Yeah perhaps we might think that learning math is not important since we just follow the formulas provided to us but for those who really love physics they need to know how to solve calculation and it involving math skills. So we can't say no to math. By hook or by crook you need to learn it. Do a lot of practice and I am sure you can do it..(^^)
@savagecabbage (1216)
• Philippines
11 Jul 12
I am good in calculus but I am not good in math. It is actually pretty weird. When we study math, it does not seem important. It is like there is no use for math. But actually, mathematics is used in a lot of fields like business and engineering. Without mathematics, the world will have lots of unsolved equations. So even though math is a hassle for the most of us, it is still important and useful in the longrun.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
25 Apr 12
Yes, I may not be good at math, but I at least need basic math in order to budget what I have and to know how to add and subtract things.
Math is very important, and sometimes, I wish that I knew more of it, but as I said, I'm not very good at it.
My major in college is English, and if I could, then I would also get my degree in History and maybe even music because I love the arts so much, but I am not very good at math and science, but I give praise to those who are.
Without Math and Science, this world wouldn't be such a great place to live in and we wouldn't have had all of the advances that we have had in the past couple of years.
If you need help with Math and Science, then my suggestion is to get tutors for it, or start downloading online programs that can help you out. Read lots of books on Math and Science, so that it will start making sense to you, and watch videos on Math and Science. I really do hope that this helps you.
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
24 Apr 12
I have a Ph.D. in physics and fortunately not only did I like math when in school, I was good at it. Math is an absolute necessity for physics and chemistry. I had an advanced math class in high school in addition to the usual ones and then in my first year of college, I too differential and integral calculus all in one semester. This was before I took the first physics class in college. Actually it is a necessity for everyday life but on a lower level. You need math just to buy things, to balance a check book, to do taxes, to buy and own a house, etc. I catch many errors when I buy things at stores because I am good enough at math to just tell when the total price of all items at say a grocery store is not right; I have caught more overcharges that way than you can count. You can't just trust that something will always ring up with the right price.
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
24 Apr 12
Yes, Outfbiz, math is really important in our everyday life. I've never been good at math, I have problems with simple numbers. Today I struggled to fill up my income tax form because I had to make some adding... But I don't understand one thing. How come you are not good at math but you love physics and chemistry? I think that these sciences are more difficult than math, at least they were for me, years ago when I was in high school.
So if you make a little bit more efforts, you'll take your tests. Good luck!
@Tamosree1993 (1525)
• India
25 Apr 12
Hello friend,
If you want to be a scientist then you learn the maths very much. It is very important for your dreams come truth. If you should be a scientist in future you can face the many difficult equations. So practise the maths now. It is a very good subject. It is not hard. It is also my favorite subject.
Best of luck and have a nice day.
@konomashii (49)
• Philippines
25 Apr 12
anyways, from the other comments, you dont need to love MATH, you just have to ACCEPT that you need it for you to realize its use to achieve your goals, might be a chemist or physicist.
@konomashii (49)
• Philippines
25 Apr 12
HOw important Math is to your life?
this is as important as the food you intake.
Everyday needs Mathematics. without it, we'll be all useless.
Even buying a drinks needs math.
As for your dream, i suggest you study ALGEBRA, its the basic of all Mathematics problems including Chemistry and mostly Physics. you dont need to formulate, derive, memorize all theorems, formulas or anything. the only thing that you need to do is to know the PROCESS of formulating, deriving and knowledge in all theorems and other rules needed for Mathematics. if you think that you already know the PROCESS, you dont need any formulas for your problems.Physics and Chemistry will be your field of specialization. Just believe you can, even if your not that good in math, your dream may come true.
