Many people probably have heard a lot of myths about arithmetic and mathematical skills. You have probably believed in and embraced one yourself to justify why you are getting a low grade in the subject instead of enrolling in amath tuition centre in Singapore.
The famous stereotypes that Asians are born maths geniuses; or creative and artistic people are naturally bad at maths are the usual misconceptions and myths we typically hear at school.
Unfortunately, we grow up believing in these debunked myths, bringing them with us as we journey through tertiary education and even adulthood.
Stop believing in these maths myths! This article will shed light on these misconceptions and highlight the importance of in-depth arithmetic education and A maths tuition in Singapore.
Debunking Maths Myths And Misconceptions We Believed In For A Long Time
Before we discuss the maths misconceptions, let us first dive into the three primary mathematics-related beliefs. These beliefs include assumptions in mathematical education, beliefs about the self, and maths misconceptions in a social context.
● Beliefs in mathematical education
Beliefs in mathematical education include people’s misconceptions about arithmetic as a subject and how it is taught and learned.
● Beliefs about the self
Beliefs about the self include the person’s maths misconceptions related to oneself, such as skills and learning capability.
● Beliefs about the social context
Beliefs about the social context include the misconceptions about maths established in an environment, such as the schools and home.
MYTH #1: MATHS IS AN INNATE ABILITY
You may have heard a lot of statements relating to maths as an innate skill. Stereotypes like Asians are maths geniuses, and maths skills are passed genetically are rooted in this misconception.
This misconception only justifies that non-Asians are bad at maths or students with parents that are bad at maths are more likely to be one.
The Truth Behind The Myth
Each one of us, not only Asians or those with “maths genetics,” have an innate “sense of numbers.” This skill includes subsidisation or the ability to identify or recognise the number of objects without counting or by just looking at them.
For example, you can distinguish which box contains fifteen balls and which one holds five balls. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for this innate skill.
However, this skill is not limited to humans. Animals also show evidence of innate ability in them.
The truth is there are lots of things that take place in maths. There are abstract concepts, symbolic representation, and language.
And to gain mastery in numbers and its abstract concepts–maths–a student must practice maths to hone the skill. On the other hand, A maths teacher or A maths tutor must provide a creative approach to help the students grasp mathematical concepts.
Many O level math tuitioncentres consider integrating visual and tactile representation and techniques in teaching maths.
MYTH #2: THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO SOLVE A MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM
Many people picked up this assumption from schools and A maths tuition in Singapore. At the end of the day, a maths teacher or math tutor in Singapore may only be able to teach one or two methods to solve an arithmetic problem. And the students must use these methods alone.
In reality, there is nothing wrong with following the teacher’s technique or methods in solving problems. However, there isn’t always one way to find the correct answer.
The Truth Behind The Myth
There are thousands of ways to solve arithmetic problems. According to several journals, giving students the opportunities to explore several ways to solve the questions provides promising results. Schools andmath tuition services in Singapore may also reap the same results by providing multiple strategies in working around numbers.
MYTH #3: KIDS DON’T UNDERSTAND MATHS
Because of people’s existing notion that maths is a complicated subject, we believe that kids are too young to learn maths. Or perhaps, they will not understand mathematical concepts.
Therefore, we only expose them to counting and memorisation instead of introducing advanced arithmetic concepts.
The Truth Behind The Myth
Subsidisation, or the innate skill discussed in the first item, is evident in babies. Meaning babies can at least identify patterns.
The kids’ abilities to recognise and identify patterns can be used in mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, spatial reasoning, measurement, and geometry.
A maths preschool teacher, parents and even a math tutor in Singapore can integrate basic counting and patterning to introduce and solve the arithmetic problem.
A math tuition centre in Singapore may also use visual cues like colour and sizes and other tactile patterns to solve maths problems.
MYTH #4: MALES ARE SUPERIOR IN MATHEMATICS COMPARED TO FEMALES
History recognises more male mathematicians than females. On the other hand, seeing females in maths-related careers, such as engineering, economics, and engineering, is rare. But does it justify that males are naturally better at maths than females? Is there a cognitive, biological difference related to math between males and females?
The Truth Behind The Myth
Social construct provides more influence than anatomy on this myth. Males and females have equal mathematical levels of ability. However, the results vary depending on the social disposition concerning race, ethnicity, sex, class, and so on.
For example, even women have the same maths ability; girls are often discouraged from taking STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, degrees, and careers.
Therefore, they are underrepresented in the field. Additionally, discrimination against women in the mathematics field also exists.
Schools and A maths tuition centres in Singapore may also play in influencing gender bias beliefs. For example, teachers and instructors underestimating a girl’s maths ability strip her confidence and self-esteem in performing in maths subjects.
Takeaway
Everyone, regardless of age, race, and sex, is capable of learning mathematics. Don’t let these maths myths demotivate you from excelling in the subject and even pursuing a maths career!
Kiasu Maths
Kiasu Maths is committed to helping students to improve their mathematical abilities and excel in the subject through in-depth maths teaching. Find the best math tuition centre in Singapore for you. Visit Kiasu Maths today.