<p>On the whole, I think people who really feel restricted by math are the same people who were not taught math in the tradition of mathematical problem solving. As a USAMO qualifier, I have come to terms with the fact that math is taught horribly in most public schools. The idea that there is only one answer seems to stem from the original emphasis on math as the study of numbers - which it most certainly isn't - and the perpetuation of this teaching paradigm in high school is devastating to the learning process. </p>
<p>Math is the only subject in which things can be proved to be absolutely true, however, the creativity necessary to prove a theorem or solve a particular problem is often overlooked. Any given math problem can be solved from a huge number of different angles - the strategems and tactics involved in problem solving run from basic mental toughness to the most complex of mathematical tools. Just because there is only one answer (or set of answers) that is correct, does not mean that the tools available to you are restricted. In my opinion, math is at its best when one can understand the connection between all the different tools that are taught - and the inaction of teachers in underscoring these connections is a tragedy of the educational system and, in my opinion, the real root of why people don't like math. I digress, however. </p>
<p>I agree fully with the statement that people will think up any sort of interpretation they want in classes like English. Analyzing historical situations or literature is much more like a math problem than one might think - you merely use your understanding of context along with all available analytical tools and interpret it as you see fit. The issue with the English/Social Studies system is that any argument with a marginal amount of evidence can be accepted as sufficient - and so the idea of right and wrong answers can be thrown out the door. I often feel literature is demeaned by conclusions drawn through the lack of truly thorough analysis of the pieces, which often requires a similar amount of time and effort as a complex theorem or math problem.</p>