Do you ever wonder if studying mathematics can make you smarter? According to Dr. Attridge, the answer is yes! Research has shown that studying higher mathematics at the advanced secondary and university levels can lead to an increase in logical ability. It's not just about knowing the math, but rather learning it that makes a difference. Algebra is a great mathematical tool for developing our brain capacity.
It makes us smarter, improves our problem-solving ability, and encourages us to adopt a systemic approach to our thought processes. It also helps us excel in other subject areas. Studies have found that children who know math have more gray matter in their brain area than those who don't. The areas of the brain involved in higher mathematical abilities are related to visual attention and decision-making.
Mathematics doesn't just help you deepen your logical powers; it also helps you improve your intellectual capacity. Mental arithmetic, in particular, is known to significantly increase brain capacity. The study of shapes, numbers, and patterns encourages one to develop strong observational skills and stimulates critical thinking. An article by Joshua Goodman, economist, measures the impact of learning mathematics on income.
He analyzed a change in American schools following the 1983 Nation at Risk report. Many people get discouraged by mathematics because they assume that only intelligent or really intelligent people do well in mathematics. However, passive learning doesn't really exist in mathematics; it requires a more conscious effort to succeed. As Susan Wise-Bauer wisely pointed out in The Well-Trained Mind, memorization by heart has been ridiculed and considered a “lower-order math skill”, as if it were somehow inferior to higher-order math skills. Using mathematics to calculate the right amount of food and medication ensures that patients stay within the limits of the prescribed eating plan.
Mathematics is a science that studies the properties and quantitative relationships between abstract entities (numbers, geometric figures, symbols). So why are we focusing on mathematics? On the one hand, math skills are increasingly important for getting good jobs these days. There are several other subjects being evaluated that can give you a high IQ even when you're terrible at math. New brain research reveals that through hard work and effort, you can improve your intelligence. It's not true that people are born with mathematical skills or not; research shows that this is not true. Like addition, multiplication, subtraction and division, but as soon as you delve into mathematics that is not used in your daily life, they close.
But we also believe that mathematics is the area in which the United States' “fallacy of innate ability” is most entrenched. Many mathematics scholars claim that mathematics makes them believe that there is a simple solution to every seemingly difficult life problem they encounter. Instead of thinking you can never use mathematics because you want to be a soccer player, writer, actor or lawyer, consider how it can help you succeed in any field. Mr. Goodman found that each additional required math course increased the annual earnings of black men by 15%. So if you're looking for ways to make yourself smarter and more successful in life, studying mathematics may be just what you need!.
