For many students, math is a difficult subject to thoroughly comprehend. In mathematics, there is one correct answer for any given equation, and when students are unable to reach the conclusion, it can be a discouraging feeling. Math is more important to our everyday lives than just being able to solve for ‘x’ - it helps us with real-world problem solving, helps our brains process information faster, and it helps us develop critical thinking skills. Here are a few reasons why math is an important function in our everyday lives:

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that helps us make informed and educated decisions, without being influenced by outside bias or other distractions. Taking into consideration all components of a problem, dispelling any notion that would be invaluable to reaching a conclusion, and making reasonable assessments about how to reach your final outcome, will help you make smart life choices. Although you may never need to find out the square root of 81 in your future, understanding how to solve a problem by using all the information that is provided to form a clear & concise conclusion is beneficial to you when making other life decisions.

Helps With Financial Decisions

Math will help you make sound monetary decisions. There will come a point when you will have to make small financial choices (i.e. tipping your waiter, comprehending sales tax, etc.) and large financial decisions (i.e applying for a mortgage, budgeting household expenses, etc.) Having a fundamental understanding of how money works, how to manage your money and calculating risk vs. reward will all be beneficial for your future.

Math Will Become a Part Of Your Future Profession

You may not even consider a career involving anything to do with numbers, but math will follow you as you make a name for yourself in the future. Individuals that work in retail stores may be responsible for cash which utilizes fundamental arithmetic, those that choose a future in construction may require an understanding of trigonometric functions, and those that pursue a career in health care will have to know how to calculate dosages of medication and measure body mass indexes, etc. Even then, you will need to have a basic understanding of time management to calculate what time you need to leave your house to make it to work on time, as well as how long certain tasks take so that you can complete all your duties on time.

Strengthens Your Brain

Most importantly, math will help you step out of your comfort zone. It may make you uncomfortable at first, but once you comprehend a concept it can help improve your self-confidence and supply you with the courage that you need to accept the mistakes you’ve made. Those that pursue math are generally proficient at multitasking & making detail-oriented observations. Math will also help you do well in other ventures that you may be interested in such as playing a musical instrument, video games, knitting, sewing, and virtually any sport.