How to improve ones math skills?

Question

Hello.

I am a junior in High School and have been struggling with math my entire life. I have trouble with pretty much everything math related and I can not remember anything (particularly vocabulary). I really hate this and have tried to study for hours on end with nothing to show for it.

I really love the subject but I can seem to get any better at it.

Do you guys have any advise?

Answer 1

Here are my tips for doing better in math I hope you find this useful :



My tips:



1) Read the problem through; until you understand it. Take your time and work it one step at a time. Don't rush it -your more apt to make mistakes doing this way than when your doing it slow allow your mind to work the problem out ( Think of it as a puzzle, the pieces will come together only one piece at a time. So do it one step at a time)



2) Look for clue words like: sum, more than,less than, greater,multiplied,divided by..etc for all word problems



3) Look for given equation, variables, etc



4) Find out what the problem is asking you to solve for .



5) Write "Given: " , than write down what is given, than write down, What are you solving for?



6) If you have to rearrange the equation in order to solve it, than write out step by step what math operation your using on it to solve it, if you have to rearrange it otherwise do # 7.



7) Write step by step what Math operation your using to solve for it . This will make it easier for you to backtrack it and see what you did wrong; if you made error in your math - if your proof for it , doesn't check and equal



8) While doing number 6 and 7:



Always Pay Attention To the Signs . This the one number reason why people get wrong answers in Math. When they are solving there math problems. So please take your your time in doing it, if you rush it , your more than likely to make errors.



9) Do a Proof to prove your answer is correct By writting "Proof:" - The reason for this : Sometimes you might think you have the right answer when your really got the wrong one but this will tell you right away. { Remember # 8, you might have made a error in your signs.} Doing the proof for it, will catch it, if you did make a mistake. So do the following:



10) Write your original equation down. Plug in your numbers, than write step by step what Math operation your using to solve for it . If this does not check and equal than back track from the Given point to the proof and see if your answer is right. if it is? than check the proof and when you find were you made your error at . Correct it than solve it again and redo the proof again until it check and equals



11) Make sure you put the units on the end of the final answer . Some teachers will mark it wrong, if it not there,



Here a example of of a math problem so you get a idea of how to do one :



Example:



A spherical tank need to hold 100 cubic feet of water, using the formula V= 4/3*pi*r^3 ,



and pi = 3.14159258, what is the radius of the tank:



Step 1 :



Given :



pi = 3.14159258

V = 4/3 * pi* r^3

V= 100

We are solving for r





Step 2



V = 4/3 * pi* r^3 - original equation



100 = 4/3* 3.14159258 * r^3 - Substitution of V, and pi



100* 3/4 = 4/3* 3.1415258 * r^3 * 3/4 - Multiplying the multiplicative inverse of a



number to both sides of the equation to move it to the other side of it



300/4 = 3.14159258 * r^3 - Multiplication



75 = 3.14159258 * r^3 - Division



75 * 1/3.14159258 = 3.14159258* r^3 * 1/3.14159259 - Multiplying the multiplicative



inverse of a number to both sides of the equation to move it to the other side of it





75/3.14159258 = r^3 - Multiplication



23.873242023000 = r^3 - Division



23.873242023000 ^ (1/3) = (r ^ 3)^(1/3) - taking the cube root of both sides of the equation to remove the cube



2.879411933968 = r - Doing or solving the cube root



The answer for r is 2.879411933968 feet



Proof:



prove that - when r = 2.879411933968, pi = 3.14159258 and v = 100 cubic feet it make the V =



4/3 * pi* r^3 true





V = 4/3 * pi* r^3 - original equation



100 = 4/3 * 3.14159258* 2.879411933968^3 - substitution of r,V,pi



100 = 4.1887904* 2.879411933968^3 - Multiplication and Division of 4/3 and pi



100 = 4.1887904 * 23.87324202301 - solving or taking the cube of r



100 = 100 - Multiplication



It checks and equals



The answer for r is 2.879411933968 feet



Granted doing this, takes a lot of time; but it will give you the right answers every time; or at least catch your wrong answers before you write it down and it will save your bacon every time , A lot of right answers is better than a lot of wrong answers don't you think.



also write in a notebook any tips or tricks in math so you can refer too .



I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Doing math is like climbing stairs. You can't reach the higher levels until you reach the lower levels.

When you slip and forget, you need to go back to where you were before you got lost and find your way back.



Basic math functions (+, -, x, /)

Know your multiplication table

Know how to balance equations by moving numbers and functions across the = sign

example: 3x +4 = 7, 3x = 7 -4, 3x = 3, x = 3/3. x= 1



You need to master the basics before you can do algebra and geometry. Practice will help you master each step in math and you will eventually recognize patterns that make it easier to do.

Answer 3

Math isn't about memorizing vocabulary. It's about application. Studying for math is just practicing, and not just studying from flashcards. I mean, you can make flashcards to memorize properties and formulas, but to really get those properties and formulas instilled in your mind, you have to practice them. Sometimes I like to at random times write out math formulas. I'm in Algebra II now and sometimes I just say formulas in my head or write them down at random times. Make sure you take advantage of homework assignments given to you. maybe homework is a bore yeah, but if you're gonna spend time practicing mathematics, you might as well do it with homework problems.



If there's a topic in mathematics you don't understand, don't move on from it even if your teacher has moved on to another lesson. Math is all cumulative. The basic arithmetic you learned in grade school comes back to haunt everyone. For example A LOT of students tend to leave behind the rules of Order of Operations (PEMDAS or PEMA). It's very simple within itself, so people tend to forget about it when they get to more complicated concepts, but a lot of the problems of the more complicated concepts can be answered incorrectly if PEMDAS is not applied.

Answer 4

Starts with zero level make sound base and practice more, you will soon learn a lot just in one year. LOL My dear