And yet the way math is traditionally taught in schools and colleges, there is almost always is a unique right answer.

There are alternative approaches to teaching math such as problem-based learning, active learning, and inquiry-based learning, that help students not only understand the math better, but learn why the math is useful and how to apply it in the real-world (transfer of learning). Students also are much more likely to continue on and succeed in future courses and graduate.

Here are best practices for teaching calculus, for example: http://launchings.blogspot.com/2014/01/maa-calculus-study-se...

And research showing that in traditional lecture courses (vs. active learning courses), students are 1.5 times more likely to fail: http://news.sciencemag.org/education/2014/05/lectures-arent-...

Underrepresented populations (minorities) and females are much more likely to succeed in active and inquiry learning math courses, too: http://theconversation.com/who-learns-in-maths-classes-depen...