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Amina Reshma
3 Min Read
“What color is math?” When you see a question like that, it could probably be a topic that gets you instantly intrigued. In fact, the topic of school subject colors has gained a lot of interest in recent times, and it is one of the most popular debates that gets students fired up.
Most students seem to have strong opinions about the colors associated with school subjects, and even adults that graduated from school a long time ago seem to have an opinion on the matter. This is especially true for the core subjects such as math, science, english, and social studies. As for math, whenever a topic is brought up, it elevates the debate to a whole new level in most settings, where students are quick to defend their opinions.
Before getting into the actual topic of what color is math, let’s give you some context on why we associate school subjects with colors first.
What is the Reason for Associating Colors With Subjects
While there are many opinions and answers to why we associate colors with school subjects, the most common reason is that they are based on something you learned as a child. In fact, subjects are associated with colors to help young children keep track of them better from an early age. When you were a child, you probably saw colors used in reference to the subject associated with them, and those colors represented something related to the subject. Many schools, for example, use color-coded folders, or specific colored books and activity sheets for subjects, and so on.
Students are instructed to choose specific color folders to use for specific classes, and through practice and association of the same colors with the subjects over the years, it becomes a habit almost. The color that one corresponds with the subject could be very personal and subjective, and there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. However, read on to find out what the most common opinion regarding the matter is.
What Color is Math?
English and math are the two subjects that cause the most disagreement among students. The major part of the discussion is whether math is red or blue. While some strongly suggest it be red, others argue that it is blue, the way you apply these colors may be more personal to your own experiences than anything else about the subject.
While the colors red and blue are hotly debated between english and math, it is possible that it is the reason for one’s choice and attitude toward the subject. Red is considered to be associated with subjects that could be rather difficult, as the color red itself is associated with strong emotions like tension, anger, and hostility. And math is considered a difficult subject for most people, so it tends to be labeled as “red.” However, the other popular opinion of math being blue is probably for those students who enjoy math or are good at it, as blue is considered a calm and soothing color. In fact, the color blue is associated with math because it is a cool technical color devoid of emotion and represents the kind of technical subject that is based mostly on facts and logic.
On the other hand, despite having technical components such as grammar, structure, etc., english is a more emotional subject than math. Therefore, the color red, unlike blue, is linked to strong emotions that can be both positive and negative, such as anger or passion.
The Verdict
The answer to the question of what color is math cannot be objective and is tied to personal opinions and factors as well as subconscious associations that one may have developed when young.
While some of you may associate math with colors that may be counterintuitive or seem foreign to others, the neverending debate of whether math is blue or red depends completely on the individual.This can be something related to things you learned growing up, or something based on schools or teachers for some deeper meaning, like matching brain colors with topics based on research, or even regarding your own feelings and experiences with the subject.
There isn’t really a right or wrong answer, and every person’s opinion about the topic may be particularly correct for their own situation.
Irrespective of the exact reason, opinions differ from person to person, and it has been a topic of fascination to discuss when the opportunity arises. In other words, regardless of what anyone says, if you ask a student what they believe is the correct color of math, they will firmly believe that they will have the correct answer and that, indeed, is the right answer!
If this blog piqued your interest and you want to respond to this question, please leave your answers along with your thoughts in the comments section below. To read more blogs like this, go to BYJU’S FutureSchool blog.
References:
- The Colors of School Subjects: What Color Is Math, English, Social Studies, and Science? – Color Meanings. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.color-meanings.com/colors-school-subjects-math-english-social-studies-science/
The Colors of School Subjects – The Advocate. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://fghsnews.com/3251/featureandopinion/the-colors-of-school-subjects/
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