Q&A for How to Be Good at Mathematics

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  • Question
    How do you find the answer to a math problem?
    Grace Imson, MA
    Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco
    Grace Imson is a math teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience. Grace is currently a math instructor at the City College of San Francisco and was previously in the Math Department at Saint Louis University. She has taught math at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. She has an MA in Education, specializing in Administration and Supervision from Saint Louis University.
    Math Instructor, City College of San Francisco
    Expert Answer
    There are 3 tips that can help you work through math problems. 1) Work the steps in the correct operational order to correctly solve a problem. Also, work carefully, because little errors on signs or addition can cause you to get the wrong answer. 2) Identify the required information. Separate the given data from what you're asked to find to be sure you know what you're really looking for. 3) Find the relationship between the given and the required. Try to visualize how the information you're given relates to the answer you need to find. In some problems, the two won't be directly related to each other, so you'll need to work through the steps until you can find that relationship or the formula you need to use to solve the problem.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of nervousness before a math exam?
    Community Answer
    Think 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.
  • Question
    Even though I practice I have trouble remembering how to solve problems. How can I increase my memory?
    Community Answer
    Review 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
  • Question
    How can I get faster and better at math?
    Community Answer
    The only way to get faster and better is to practice regularly and often. The more you do, the better you'll be.
  • Question
    How do I study the day before the test?
    Community Answer
    Go 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.
  • Question
    What is a good technique for remembering math formulas?
    Community Answer
    Take a look at their derivation and understand the actual meaning of the formula. This will help you to remember it well. Use flashcards and do a daily test on new formulas.
  • Question
    Do I need to practice maths every day to become a genius?
    Community Answer
    Actually you will never become genius in math by practicing it every day.That will only help you to have the highest grade you can manage. You should start to work gradually with hard exercises and then harder and then extremely harder, then try some original thinking. Also, you will never become a genius if you don't really like math and your purpose is only to be the top of the class.
  • Question
    How do I memorize my studies before a math exam?
    Community Answer
    You should not be trying to memorize math; understanding is the main concept in maths. As long as you understand the process of the concepts on your test, you'll be fine.
  • Question
    How do I keep from getting bored while studying math? Ah, I hate it!
    Community Answer
    Instead of just memorizing how to perform a technique, try to understand what it represents and why anyone would want to use the technique in the first place. Experiment with methods while studying by posing questions for yourself and trying to answer them. Most people are taught that math can't be understood, but you have to learn how to do it just because that's the way it is. That isn't the case at all -- math can be understood if you try to investigate it independently, and that's the best and only interesting way of doing it.
  • Question
    What do you do if you failed a math class and are taking a special course? Are you stupid?
    Community Answer
    It doesn't mean you are stupid, just that you have had some trouble with math. Even smart people can have trouble with a particular subject. But you can always improve. Work hard, study the content carefully, do lots of practice problems, and don't hesitate to reach out for help from your teacher or a tutor if you need it.
  • Question
    How do I stop hating math?
    Community Answer
    Try to apply it to your life or make it more fun by turning it into a game.
  • Question
    I practice maths daily but still get bad marks in the test. Why?
    Community Answer
    Maybe you don’t concentrate when you study, or you study for too long or too little. You may also not be studying correctly -- perhaps not focusing on the most important material or using the best strategies for your learning style. Talk to your teacher and try to troubleshoot.
  • Question
    How can I be good at mathematics and basketball?
    Community Answer
    Stay 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.
  • Question
    How do I create practice questions? Like if I came up with the question, I probably already know the answer.
    Community Answer
    Ask a friend, teacher, or family member to create problems for you. You can also look online for printable/downloadable worksheets. Also, many practice books are available in bookstores.
  • Question
    What are some of the most difficult math topics at high school level?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Algebra, geometry (including spherical geometry), trigonometry, and calculus (which is usually taught in college).
  • Question
    Do you have any tips on helping someone who has a short memory?
    Community Answer
    Practice 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.
  • Question
    What is the Pythagorean theorem?
    Community Answer
    The 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.
  • Question
    What should I do if there are too many difficult questions which I have never seen before?
    Community Answer
    Skip those questions, and answer the ones you know how to do. Once you have done the ones that you clearly understand, go back to the difficult questions (if you have time) and complete them best you can. By doing this, you have done most of the questions, and completed the ones you understand. If you don't complete all the difficult ones, it will be okay as you have done most of the questions asked of you. Never ponder on a question for a long time as you will lose the amount of time you have to accomplish the other questions.
  • Question
    Is it a good idea to first look at the answer and then show the work to make sure you get that exercise right?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's OK to do that occasionally, but if you do it a lot, you'll hurt your chances of really understanding the principles involved and doing well on tests. It would be best to just solve the problem, *then* check your answer, and if the answer you got isn't correct, check over your work and do the problem over if you need to.
  • Question
    How can I increase my IQ?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    See the wikiHow article, Increase Your IQ .
  • Question
    Most of the time, I understand my mathematics lesson, but I recently failed when doing exercises. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    First of all, you should tell yourself you can do it. Believe in yourself, and keep practicing and studying. If you need to, ask your teacher for help.
  • Question
    How can I ace math with no practice at all?
    StarGirl2
    Community Answer
    Sorry, but there is no way to do that. When it comes to mastering math, there are no "shortcuts," but you can make it easier for yourself. If there is one part you have trouble with, maybe study it twice a day for 30 minutes each session. (That would be about 60 minutes a day.) Try not to stress over this. Math gets fun when you get it!
  • Question
    Do I need to go to different websites and read different articles? If I do, do I get smarter?
    Community Answer
    No, you don't have to go on websites or read articles. The only way to get smarter is to study and practice.
  • Question
    Does teaching other people help you learn how to do a problem?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it really helps.
  • Question
    How do I create a new math formula?
    Rohini Tetarbe
    Community Answer
    You will eventually find this answer once you start solving the topic again and again. If you are fortunate enough, some idea may strike you, like you can find a sum easily by following this formula that you've created. Formulas in mathematics have always been found by hard work and dedication.
  • Question
    Can I tell the teacher that I don't understand?
    Community Answer
    Yes, absolutely. After class, ask the teacher for either a quick review of the area you're having a problem with or to meet after school to go into the material more in-depth.
  • Question
    I make too many silly mistakes. How can I fix this?
    Community Answer
    Take your time, and double-check or even triple-check all of your work.
  • Question
    How can I memorize all the formulas and theories?
    Mahmudul Hasan Mahin
    Community Answer
    You can never do good in maths by memorizing, not even the theories and formulae. The best way to remember them all through your life is to understand the logic behind them. Once you actually understand the logic, you would actually be able to do better in maths.
  • Question
    I make mistakes in math without even realizing them. I only see that after writing or when the tests come back. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Be careful not to rush through the test. If you rush, you are bound to make simple mistakes that you normally wouldn't have if you had taken your time. If you don't feel that is the problem, then try double checking your math before you turn it in. Take the answer you got and work backwards from it. If you get the original equation/number/etc. then you did your math correctly. If you didn't, try redoing the problem and see if you get the same outcome. If you do, try checking your math once again.
  • Question
    How do I avoid making silly mistakes while solving math?
    Community Answer
    Double check your work and make sure you are focusing.
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