Q&A for How to Become Better at Math

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  • Question
    What's the best way to prepare for a test?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    If you've taken diligent notes, the test prep should be fairly straightforward. Just review your notes and make sure you understand the key concepts. If you have any practice problems available to you, do those. The more practice you can get, the better.
  • Question
    How can I learn math easily?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Math is one of those classes where each new concept builds on a previous concept. It's not like English class where you don't necessarily need to know about poetry to read to a novel. So if you fall behind in math, it can be kind of hard to catch up. There's nothing necessarily "easy" about this, but math is very rewarding and fun if you're willing to put a little work in!
  • Question
    Can you become good at math later in life?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Absolutely! It can take a little bit of time to get really good at math, so don't worry if you're already done with your early schooling. You can always catch up if you're willing to put in some hard work.
  • Question
    What do I do if I've done the best I can, but still don't get it right?
    Community Answer
    If you have a computer at home, go to Khan Academy. This website has many topics, especially math. They have tons of videos on how to do the math. Give it a try and don't give up.
  • Question
    If my math grade is a 78 right now, what would be the highest grade I can get?
    Community Answer
    If you try hard 100 is very possible! Don't get stressed out with low grades--think of it as a motivation. If you are struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help.
  • Question
    I've been told I'll get an F in math. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Use this motivate you to do better. Talk to your teacher about retaking some tests, and if they allow this, study hard. Ask your parents for help, this may include getting a tutor. There are also good math apps and practice sums online. Work harder, stay calm during tests and keep asking for help with both learning and revision. The sooner you take the reins back, the easier math will get for you.
  • Question
    What if I've been trying for a while but nothing is working?
    Feyisetan Ojoge-Daniel
    Community Answer
    Persistence will always pay off. In the areas where you are weakest, ask for help from people who understand the topic more than you do. Ask for help from different people, as sometimes a different way of explaining it will spark understanding. Don't give up.
  • Question
    How do I keep myself from being easily distracted?
    Community Answer
    Clear your desk of any thing that could distract you. Make sure your environment is quiet or put on quiet background music to drown out noise. Tell anyone you live with to give you some alone time to study and stay away from electronics.
  • Question
    What happens if you don't get what you want even though you've tried the hardest you can do?
    Community Answer
    Try even harder but this time, persevere to find out what it is about the math work you need to learn better. Talk to your teacher about what you're finding hard. Do additional math work -- there are plenty of great math apps available to practice with. It may take a while but with determination and practice, you will improve, it may just take longer than you're currently expecting.
  • Question
    What should I do if my dad is pressuring me but I can't do any better?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your dad about how you feel so he can understand you are doing your best. Together, you can come up with a strategy to help you improve your math or thinking skills if needed. Pay attention in class and ask your parents or teacher for help when you need it to show you are trying.
  • Question
    How can I improve my focus and concentration?
    Community Answer
    You can try meditation, eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, and believing in yourself that you can concentrate on it. Lastly, remember to take breaks often while studying; this will help refresh your mind and make it easier to focus.
  • Question
    How can I practice without my text book?
    Community Answer
    See if there is an online version of your textbook or ask to a friend if you can borrow or share their textbook. If you are working on a certain type of problem, look for online games or tutorials to help you study.
  • Question
    How can I laugh at people when they get a bad grade?
    Community Answer
    Don't. It's a very rude thing to do and can make others feel bad. They probably already feel bad enough about their bad grade.
  • Question
    What if I have a negative math teacher?
    Community Answer
    Talk to a parent or guidance counselor about the problem. You may be able to move to a different class or they can can talk to your math teacher or help you talk to him about having a more positive attitude.
  • Question
    If my math teacher doesn't want to help, then what do I do?
    Community Answer
    You could try to find a tutor, get help from family, or go to the principal and ask if there is a way you could get extra help through the school since your teacher doesn't want to provide it.
  • Question
    I just transferred to a new school, they use different math methods than at my old school, how can I get caught up?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Ask your teacher before or after class.
  • Question
    Should I stop reading literature for math?
    Community Answer
    If you are proficient at literature but not in math, it may be wise to limit literature study for more mathematics practice.
  • Question
    What should I do to get into compacted math?
    Community Answer
    If you're really good at maths, work hard to get into it. Challenge yourself.
  • Question
    My teacher teaches way too fast. Many kids in my grade (8th) agree, and most of my class, including me, fails or does poorly on quizzes. I think she just goes too fast and isn't a good teacher. How can I get better in her class and get A's so I can pass math and get ready for high school?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Discuss this with your teacher (without mentioning your opinion of her teaching ability). Suggest that you and several others would like extra help.
  • Question
    Can I teach myself math? I notice I do better alone, understanding it my way?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, many students teach themselves math. Just have someone check on you once in a while to make sure you're doing OK, and you should take tests occasionally.
  • Question
    How do I understand what to do on a word problem?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The general procedure is to write an equation in letters and numbers that expresses the situation set forth in the problem. The way to know if the equation is written correctly is to substitute really simple quantities into the equation and see if it yields an answer that makes sense.
  • Question
    What if I'm just a kid? Will my bad grade affect me later?
    Community Answer
    It depends, but that can be fixed by trying your best and not giving up. Try online websites that explain math, they may give you a better understanding of what you're confused about.
  • Question
    How can I do better in class if I can't find someone to help me?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Ask your teacher for help in locating a tutor. If you can't afford a formal tutor, check with every older friend or relative you have to see if they can help. There are also many good math websites that can help.
  • Question
    I get very anxious while taking my math exam and then I make extremely silly mistakes. What should I do?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    "Talk" to yourself during the exam. Tell yourself to keep concentrating. Don't hurry. Take a deep breath every now and then. Check your work at the end if there's time.
  • Question
    What should I do if I've tried my hardest, believed in myself, and have patience, but my math isn't getting better?
    Community Answer
    Seek help from someone who understands math, ask your teacher, a friend, or hire a tutor.
  • Question
    What can I do to get better at math?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher for advice, study every day, pay attention in class and review concepts after you learn them.
  • Question
    I have been studying a lot, but I have not seen an improvement in my grades. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher and ask her for pointers. Maybe you can even ask for some extra credit to help raise your grade.
  • Question
    What should I do if I try my best and I fail?
    Community Answer
    Speak with your teacher about the test and tell her that thought you did your best, you are still having trouble. She may tutor you or set you up with another student to help you understand the material better. Generally, teachers are very willing to help students who make it clear they really want to learn.
  • Question
    What should I do if I'm trying really hard but just not getting it?
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing, ask for help, and if you think it's necessary, get a tutor.
  • Question
    I have tried extremely hard to improve my grade, but I can never get over 50% on a test. Just thinking about my GCSE makes me panic and lose any motivation I had. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    You need to think of your long-term goals. Use that as motivation to pass. Pay attention in class and always ask for help. Don't panic, instead think of it as a challenge and try to prove to yourself that you can do it.
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