Alina Procopio is a one-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle. The views expressed in this opinion article are her own.

Adding. Subtracting. Equations. Fractions.

Reactions to math are mixed – some dread it, others despise it. But for many, math is more than just numbers on a page. It is a puzzle, a path, or even a passion.

Throughout history, math has fueled innovation. From the precise angles of the Great Pyramid of Giza to the equations that guide rockets into orbit, math has shaped history. More than 4,000 years ago, Egyptian engineers relied on mathematical knowledge to construct massive pyramids with stunning precision – structures that still stand today.

According to the experts at Norfolk State University, students who develop strong math skills are more likely to succeed in both academic and real-world settings. Math fosters critical thinking, encourages a growth mindset, and helps students “develop reasoning and logic skills that are essential for success in today’s competitive job market.”

Stanford University’s Development and Research in Early Math Education (DREME) agrees, arguing that early math skills are the strongest predictor of later academic achievement – even more than early reading skills. Math teaches logic, problem-solving, and persistence – skills that are critical far beyond the classroom.

Math is also the foundation of many professions and careers. NASA scientists, for example, rely on calculus and algebra to calculate spacecraft trajectories – one miscalculation, and a spacecraft could miss Mars by thousands of miles. Research shows that math expertise extends not only to STEM careers, but also many creative careers as well.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in math-related fields are projected to grow faster than average, offering high pay and job stability, with mathematicians and statisticians seeing a predicted 11% employment growth between 2023 and 2033.

“I think it’s important because it helps people learn two skills, perseverance and problem solving. I think that those skills alone are helpful at any job when you’re done with high school, even if you don’t use math,” math teacher Charles Vokes said.

Some people feel as though that math beyond basic Algebra is unnecessary, but research suggests otherwise. A 2021 study from the Brookings Institution found that students who completed advanced math coursework were more likely to graduate from college and earn higher incomes later in life. Learning more than the minimum can offer long-term benefits. As mentioned earlier, pushing beyond the basics can help students grow in many ways.

“Math and its subjects are important to me because I believe we will all use some type of math in our everyday life. It’s just a life skill people need,” West Chicago Community High School senior Valerie Garcia-Gomez said. Gomez plans to become a math teacher one day, and hopes to inspire others to find the joy in mathematics.

Math is a subject students study from elementary school through college. There are a lot of mixed emotions and thoughts as to whether what people learn from math is useful for the future or not needed. 

Despite its reputation as difficult or dull, math remains one of the most essential subjects in education. It sharpens logic and persistence, fuels innovation, and prepares students for life beyond the classroom. Schools should find creative ways to make math engaging – through clubs, apps, and visual tools – to ensure students not only pass their classes but discover the power and purpose of problem-solving.