Are You A Math-O-Phobe?

I recently took a Real Estate Mathematics class as some continuing education. For me at least because I already come from a technical background, I put it off cause I just knew the time it would take to work through all the problems, not the difficulty of the class. But it made me wonder about others...

Are You A Math-o-phobe?

That is, an adult needing to conquer a fear of math from some negative thought about yourself from some teacher that gave you bad performance when you were younger.

Math is highly valuable for appraisals, inspections, loans, measuring materials and labor for sidewalks, or helping investors with rental properties or evaluating commercial real estate. Why do so many fear math I wonder? There are myths about women not being as good at it as men or some people's brains are wired for math and others not so. Some just plain don't like it.

Some of us may be skilled more at problem solving that leads to a black and white answer and not some grey area. Some also from taking classes, in their wildest dreams can't figure out where in life what they learned in Calculus class is going to do them any good, particularly in real estate instead of being in a rocket scientist field.

I do know people that are panic stricken when you mention converting back and forth between fractions, decimals, and percents. But think about it. Even when you go shopping and something is on sale, they will say like 40% off. Well how much is that off the list price? Can you calculate it?

I have concluded two things about this math fear.

One, math is a building block process and you miss a class or two in sequence along the way and you miss the foundation of how everything relates, and therefore you are SUNK with math.

Two, math can be intimidating if you don't first pick up on what you are learning. We all learn at different paces and some TEACHERS are not patient or not well skilled with their communication abilities to work with you. I used to do math tutoring and I see the need for some extra understanding, care, and NO INTIMIDATION in working with those who really want to learn math but just aren't connecting with it yet.

Try to not let math overwhelm you and view it as FUN with finding the right teacher, books, videos, or computer-based training etc.

     So are you a Math-o-phobe???