Mathematics and Art Students

It has been common to perceive mathematics as a difficult subject that usually requires intricate logical and analytical problem-solving skills. On the other hand, the arts are viewed as being expressive and imaginative, relying more on emotion and loose logic. It's no secret that students frequently choose one subject over another, with stereotypes showing that maths is avoided by art students. However, are these stereotypes accurate? Do arithmetic problems present a challenge for art students? Do Science and commercial students perform better at maths than art students? This article looks at the connection between maths and art students, why some may find it difficult, and how the gap may be closed.

In a typical Nigerian senior secondary school, there are three departments a student can find him/herself in; they are science, commercial and arts. These departments have subjects that are particular to them, however, some subjects are common to the three like Mathematics and English. Students in these departments are required to take these subjects and pass them, especially during the final examinations in the secondary school to certify for admission in the higher institution of their choice.

However, a sample survey on about ten random art students to determine if they enjoy Mathematics as a subject, would most likely yield a few (usually only one or two) to give a positive and affirmative answer and because of this, one will notice that they tend to struggle when it comes to this subject. So, do arithmetic problems present a challenge for art students? Yes, to a great degree because when students from the other two departments – science and commercial - are compared with students from the art department, there is usually a noticeable difference in the quality of performance in Mathematics. Some factors have been considered to be the probable cause of the low performances observed among art students in relation to Mathematics. One of which is the lack of exposure to courses that particularly require logical and analytical skills. In reference, the science students are exposed to subjects that require logical and analytical thinking like physics, while the commercial students often have to do a lot of calculations which requires a lot of thinking at a very fast pace which the art students do not often require. Hence science and commercial students tend to perform better in Mathematics.

To this point of the essay, we have established that there exists quite a gulf between the art students and the subject Mathematics. However, how can this gulf be covered? How can the art students be made to perform better at maths? These surely will be the questions that pop up in your heads as you are reading this. To make art students perform better at mathematics, teachers have an important role to play. The teachers should serve as a source of confidence boost to these students by letting them know that they can and will perform better at the so perceived difficult subject. They can also give them more assignments and exercises that will make them better at the subject, even make them take part in quizzes to help sharpen their maths skills.

Mathematics may seem like a difficult subject to art students and the stats tend to agree so but this can be changed, the situation can be turned around if care and attention are given to these students then we will see a more balanced performance between the three departments. 

Written ✍ by, Oluwaseun Egbewande, the content crafter.