Many students often ask the question, “why is math important?” Usually, the very fact that this discipline is included in the compulsory curriculum of universities, colleges, and schools puts people at a loss. This bewilderment is expressed in the following: “Why should I, a person whose future profession will not be associated with calculating, know mathematics? How can this be useful to me in life?”
Thus, many people do not see any sense for themselves in mastering this science, even on an elementary basis. But we are sure that mathematics, more precisely mathematical thinking skills, is needed by everyone. In this article, we will explain why math is essential. You will find out where its place in the system of all-natural sciences and how it is applied in practice. You will also learn what personal qualities mathematics helps to develop and what you will lose if you refuse to master this subject, at least at a basic level.
Mathematics Is a Tool For Understanding The World
Mathematics is an exact science and does not tolerate arbitrary speculation or misinterpretation of theorems. This is the embodiment of order and rigid logic. It helps to understand the world around us, to learn more about its laws, since these laws are subject to the same order that reigns in mathematics!
The language is spoken by nature, and we can successfully translate it into the language of mathematics and understand the structure of the relationships of any phenomenon. After we formalize these connections, we can build models, predict future states of phenomena. Curious to learn even more benefits of math? Then read the reasons for learning this subject.
Math Develops Thinking
Mathematics students can learn:
- summarize information and highlight key data;
- analyze and organize information;
- find the cause-and-effect relationships of the occurrence of any results;
- make clear conclusions and reason logically;
- develop strategic, abstract, creative thinking.
People who go in for sports regularly train and strengthen their muscles and make their bodies healthy, enduring, and strong. Correspondingly, mathematics requires exercises to develop thinking. Students who complete math assignments develop intelligence, broaden their horizons and discover their cognitive abilities.
Maths Practice Memory
Scientists from Stanford University in the United States conducted a study that examined the thinking of people who completed math assignments. They systematized the results and concluded that people who regularly do math tasks are much better at achieving goals, and all subsequent tasks are performed automatically. That is, thanks to their well-developed memory, they can answer difficult questions.
Mathematics Sharpens Character
Mathematics requires specific skills: attentiveness, perseverance, responsibility, and accuracy. All skills are required for solving math problems. Accordingly, mathematics hardens character, and you develop new skills that help solve complex problems and find a way out of life’s problems.
Music for Math, Math for Music
Barbara Helmrich of Notre Dame College has done some pretty exciting research that has changed students’ thinking about mathematics. The study results showed that children who played various musical instruments in elementary school were superior to their peers in solving math problems. In high school, their skills improved, and they succeeded in passing the high-grade exam.
Mathematics Helps You Excel In The Humanities
Mathematics cannot exist without such sciences as physics, chemistry, geography, computer science, economics. Several centuries ago, scientists concluded that sociology also could not exist without mathematics. A little later, new professions emerged, such as linguistics, journalism, and other humanities. All employees claim that their work is mathematical models, laws, concepts, so the humanities cannot do without mathematics.
Math Develops Skills in Solving Household Problems
The more difficult math problems become, the more skills are required to solve them. Thanks to math, we get rid of bad habits:
- we do not speculate, but we operate only in precise terms;
- we do not just mechanically remember information and rules but evaluate them;
- we analyze, reflect to understand, and learn new material, a new life lesson.
Mathematics is the Foundation of a Successful Career
If 10-15 years ago it was considered promising to study foreign languages, now you will not surprise anyone with fluency in several languages. Professional relevance largely depends on the understanding of technology, thinking abstractly, and solving non-standard problems. It is challenging to do without knowledge of mathematics for those who want to work in the IT field.
Solving Problems Builds Psychological Resilience
Solving math problems helps to improve the emotional background. It can relieve anxiety, help control emotions, and prevent stress. Mathematics is an integral part of any person’s development and activities, just like friendship, family, sports, health, work, etc.
Mathematics Will Help In Business.
It is challenging to organize your own business without support in mathematical methods of forecasting, modeling, and analysis. Business is a highly ordered system, the construction of which requires from its creator specific intellectual skills, structured thinking, the ability to generalize and deduce relationships. Studying the exact sciences, as you know, develops these skills.
FAQ About Math
Why is math important in our daily life?
Math is essential in everyday life because you can’t even go to the grocery store, not knowing how to count money. Knowledge of mathematics does not allow you to cheat when you pay for a product! Also, mathematics develops the ability to analyze difficult life situations and make the right decision on problems.
Do you really need math in life?
Mathematics is not only calculations and formulas. It is, first of all, logic and order! It is a set of rules and functions that make your thinking consistent and logical. This is reflected in your ability to reason, formulate thoughts, hold complex concepts in your head and build ornate relationships. Therefore you need math in life.
Why is math the most important subject?
Mathematics as a subject is essential for the development of the student! It sets the standards for correct, rational thinking for the rest of your life. Mathematics gives a huge boost to mental development. No other school subject can raise the mental level of a growing individual to such an extent and serve as good support for intellectual development in the future.