Why Is Learning Math Difficult?

For many Indonesian students ranging from elementary to college students,

mathematics is the most difficult subject. Based on the results of a survey conducted
by PISA conducted in 65 countries in 2012, said the ability of Indonesian student
mathematics ranked lower with a score of 375. Only 1% of Indonesian students has
have good skills in the field of mathematics. From the above research as well as my
experience, i agree that math is a difficult subject. There are factors that make math
difficult. They are formulas, numbers (counting), and teacher.
Mathematics is considered a difficult lesson because students have already
assumed that mathematics is difficult and complicated, since it always deals with
formulas. There are many formulas used to solve simple problems that confuse the
students. The formulas are too many and similar which make the students not
interested in and lazy to learn even before they try it.
The students has been practicing using different types of formula but what comes
in the exam is different. Memorizing answers does not help the students in math.
Otherwise, they should count and calculate. The formula can be the same, but
different numbers must be calculated and counted again, that's math. The absence of a
story line where there are only numbers and numbers makes students easily bored.
Another factor that makes mathematics difficult is the teacher. It includes
teacher’s attitude, appearance, and manner in delivering the materials. Looking creepy
or being a killer teacher who likes to punish the students who does not do the task or
does not understand some material, become two of the causes why students do not
like math. Sometimes some math teachers convey the materials poorly that makes the
students bored.
Math is considered a difficult subject because the students have to memorize
many formulas and count the numbers, which also make them bored. What make
mathematics even more difficult are the teacher’s attitude, appearance and the way
they teach. However, the students need to study math because mathematics has a very
important role in everyday life. A real example in of using the math is the process of
buying and selling in which we use the elements of arithmetic that exist in
mathematics.