How to Be Good at Mathematics
Sometimes, the hardest subject for some people is mathematics. There are so many formulas, equations, and parts of math to know, it can be overwhelming! If you're in school and need a good grade in math, lots of pressure can be on your shoulders to know the material. Read this article to find out how to be a genius in math and to get a good grade.
Steps
- Pace yourself. Do not try to learn everything about math in one day. Find a topic you would like to cover and become an expert on, like measurement or graphs.
- Research math at the appropriate grade level from a trusted source. Searching the term 'mean, median, and mode' on Google is not good. Find a good math book or math website for your age.
- Read the lessons. Take notes on important things and do examples of the problems.
- Try some practice problems. After you think you know the lesson, find a few problems with answers. Work them out and see if you get the right answer. Do not use a calculator unless you are directed to.
- check your answers. If you got them right, move on. If you got them wrong, see where you made the mistake.
- Get outside help. After reading the lesson, doing sample problems, and checking your answers, consult someone that is very educated in mathematics (math teacher is a good example). See if your notes are correct and what you need to know.
- Ask someone to write up a few sample problems for you. Do those problems and then get the right answer.
- You should always remember that practice makes perfect, and that nobody gets everything right all the time. If you mess up, keep reviewing.
- Don't let yourself forget the lessons you've learned over time. Keep reviewing what you've learned.
- When a math test comes up, study a few days ahead and consult your teacher on lessons you may have missed or don't understand.
- Before taking an advanced course, see if you can talk to someone who already took the course and ask for some problems to see if you are ready.Consult with your teachers, too.
- Memorize basic math, which will help you do everything. Remember your addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and formulas. Even doing fractions involves your simple math facts.
- If you find yourself falling behind in math, try getting a tutor or taking an out-of-school math course.
- Train your memory. Each time you learn a new formula that tells you how to compute one quantity in terms of other quantities, get a friend to randomly pick one of the formulae you previously learned in your current course and describe it and then put up with the boredom of struggling to remember what the formula was until which ever comes first of you getting it right or 4 hours going by without you ever looking in the book to see what the formula was during those 4 hours. Each time you do that, you will make yourself better at extracting weaker memories back into your consciousness making it easier to learn formulae in the future.
Community Q&A
- How to get rid of nervousness before a math exam?AnonymousThink clearly and don't stress out. It's not the end of the world. Ask your teacher if you can have a reference book for the test. If not, try to let the information sink in. Don't memorise; that's the first thing not to do! Train your memory and learn basic problems and then get better and better as you go along.
- Even though I practice I have trouble remembering how to solve problems. How can I increase my memory?AnonymousReview the chapters you practiced every day. Give at least 15 minutes to the old chapter and then start the new ones. Keep practicing one chapter until you are sure about it. There is no shortcut to success, it's about repetition and practice. Appoint a tutor if having continued difficulty
- How do you study the day before the test?AnonymousGo through your textbook and look up practice problems. Make sure you check all your answers, then ask your teacher or go online to look up solutions if you get stuck. Ask your teacher what types of problems will be on the test and practice those. If you can pull them off at home, you'll ace them on the test.
- Do you have any tips on helping someone who has a short memory?AnonymousPractice as much as you can. If it's not rattling around your head like the lyrics to a really annoying song, you're not practicing enough. Sorry, but there really isn't a shortcut.
- What is the Pythagorean theorem?AnonymousThe Pythagorean theorem was invented by the Greek mathematician Pythagoras. It is useful in finding the length of one side when the other two sides are given.
- How can I be good at mathematics and basketball?AnonymousStay focused and study and listen in class, as well as finding time to practice basketball. It is possible to do both if you're dedicated and balanced.
- How can I get faster and better at math?AnonymousThe only way to get faster and better is to practice regularly and often. The more you do, the better you'll be.