People don't hate math, because there's simply nothing to hate. People simply hate that they don't understand it or parts of it. People are frustrated with it for their own faults. Often times, there isn't anything wrong with the math. If there's an equation that's supposed to factor out perfectly but it doesn't, it's not the equations fault, it's your own. You did something wrong for it not to work, it's not the math, it's you. This is why I feel people "hate" math; there is no one to take the blame but themselves. There is nowhere to look for the mistakes but inward at yourself. People "hate" it because it shows them their own faults and there is no covering it up, there is no subjective answer, it is not open to interpretation. You and your English teacher can disagree on every aspect of English literature, and you can still get an A in the class because it's open to argument. No matter how "wrong" you may be in many situations, it can be covered up and you can always convince yourself that you were right. Math is harsh in that it is immune to this, it will flat out tell you that you are simply wrong. It will kick your ego in the face. There is no arguing with it. It doesn't care if you got X and not the true answer of Y. It doesn't care how well you "think" you understand how to solve the problem, it doesn't care how hard you studied, it doesn't care how well you can argue philosophy. If the answer is Y, and you put X, you are wrong.
Math holds up a mirror in which is reflected an expression of the truth. This mirror does not lie. When we look into mirrors, they often oblige to show us how we wish to be seen or how we feel we look. They gladly show us whatever we want the truth to be. The mirror which math holds up is cruel in that it shows us what is the truth, and when you search for it, you may not always like what you find. This mirror is held up against your answer and will show all as it truly is; it will not deceive you or succumb to your own ego's will to be correct. There is none of the subjectivity of a painting, where one can find comfort in hidden meanings and in the textures of a brush. For your comfort, math cares not. This, I feel, is why people hate it. People see in it the reflection of their own failures and struggles. They become so exasperated with this, that they come to hate the mirror altogether even though there is no logical reason for doing so.
It is not math that people hate; it is the Truth.
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