Learning math is quite different than learning other subjects, and it is certainly different than learning isolated procedural tasks, such as how to change a flat tire. Math needs to be learned step-by-step. If you do not completely understand a particular topic, and are unable to perform tasks involving that topic with ease, there is no point in moving on to a new topic that depends upon the first one. However, this is exactly what most schools do, although in many cases, they simply do not have a choice.
Whether you are learning math from a website, or from a book, or from a private tutor, it is important to not move past a particular topic until you are fully comfortable with the one you are working on. You will simply fall farther and farther behind, and will get more and more confused and frustrated.
Another important point to understand is that you need to work on material that is at your level. This can be humbling if you are very far behind in math, but there is no point in struggling to learn material that you are not yet ready for. Many high school students struggle to solve equations such as 7x – 9 = 16x + 13, when the real problem was that they never fully learned basic math like addition and subtraction.
Try to find material that is at a level that you completely understand, and begin studying math from that point forward. It is OK if it is many grades below level. If you study hard, you will be able to catch up very quickly, and more importantly, you will have a solid understanding of all the fundamentals.
It is important to study math every day if you want to get good at it. Do not just finish your homework, close your book, and say that you are done. You are not done. You need to think about the material, close your book and quiz yourself, and then think about it some more. Each day, you also have to go back and review earlier material.
Math is not about “doing,” it is about understanding. It is about thinking. Do not just answer a question. Ask yourself why the answer makes sense, and why the method that you used makes sense. If you study in this fashion, you will have no trouble at all passing your math tests, and you will probably get close to 100 on most of them. The math just has to become a part of you, and that can only happen if you put in a great deal of effort every single day. Think about how you learn a sport or a musical instrument. It takes tons of daily practice, and tons of concentration. Learning math is exactly the same.
By: Larry Zafran
Posts Tagged ‘Learning Math’
How to Learn Math
April 27th, 2010The Best Way to Study Math
April 25th, 2010
Are you having difficulties in solving your mathematics problems? Do you feel like you are spending too much time learning math? If you have been studying hard and your grades do not show that, then it is possible that you may not be studying effectively. Just follow the directions given here to improve your mathematics:
Let’s start with homework. Most students misunderstand the purpose of homework. They believe that homework consists of mathematics questions that should be solved and given to a teacher. Actually, the basic reason of giving you homework is to improve you mathematics with regular drills. You can also improve your problem solving speed, with a little practice everyday. Just follow these tips to make your home study effective:
1. Get familiar with the topic. Try remembering what has been taught in class. Study your notes and book for examples. This will make it easier for you to understand what ideas you need to work on.
2. Gather all the ideas. Simply think about the ideas and methods in your assignment. Don’t forget to understand any new terms that you might come across. Read your math problems carefully and try remembering any warnings about errors that your teacher has mentioned to you. Just go through the examples in your book to make sure you have a good understanding of the concepts. This can help you, if you get stuck at some point later on.
3. Start your assignment. Do your assignment on a fresh page of your notebook. Take a separate sheet of paper for doing your rough calculations. Here are some tips to improve your problem solving abilities:
o Note down your assignment accurately from the blackboard. Keep some pages reserved in your note book in which you can write your assignments. If you don’t completely understand the assignment, simply ask your teacher to explain it to you.
o Simply follow the directions given by your teacher.
o Solve your problems in a neat manner and be accurate in your calculations.
o Show the exact workings in your solutions, not just the answers. This will assist you and your teacher in finding errors.
o Make it a habit to recheck your assignment after you are done. Look for the simple errors in your calculations.
o Don’t delay your homework. Do it on the day it is given so that you don’t forget the useful instructions.
o If you are stuck on problem don’t let it discourage you. Just take a look at your book and your notes to get further ideas on the problem. If you have done too many confusing calculations on one paper then throw it away and start on a fresh piece of paper. If you are still doubtful then ask your teacher about your problems and see what he or she has to tell.
Now you can finally submit your assignment to your teacher. If your teacher makes any corrections or find mistakes, don’t worry. Think of it as a learning opportunity. Those errors can assist you in making yourself better in math. Here are some tips for you:
1. Study your errors carefully to find out what mistakes you did in your arithmetic calculations and working.
2. If it was a careless mistake and you knew the correct method then make a note of it. If you realize that you make careless errors repeatedly then solve your problems more carefully.
3. If you cannot identify mistakes in your workings, then ask your teacher or classmate to find them for you.
4. Make it a habit to note down all your errors on reserved pages of your notebook. Write details of the correct ways of solving the problems on these pages. Just make sure you include the basic concepts of solving the problem.
By: Kelly J Thomas
