Q&A for How to Pass a Math Class

Try and break it down. A common problem in math is when you overcomplicate a problem and then get frustrated. So go slow, think it through, and remember that all problems do have a right answer. If you really need help, search online and find a webpage that can show you how to do the problem you are stuck on.

Join a study group. Join one that takes its mission very seriously. In other words, choose a group of students for whom doing well on math tests is more important than socializing.

Every night, after you do your homework, ask a parent/guardian to create a pre-test for you, so you can understand the concept of the homework. If you are studying for a test, make sure that for five nights in advance, you practice two topics every night.

The best time to study anything is generally in the late afternoon or evening. But do whatever works for you.

To simplify to the fullest means to get a number or equation to its most basic form. For example, with fractions, it means to divide the fraction until you can't divide it evenly anymore. If the numerator and the denominator have a common factor, divide both numbers by that number. Then repeat until the only common factor is one.

Probability is how likely something is to happen, like rolling a certain number on a die. You can decide it through experimental means, which is when you actually try it, or through theoretical means, which is how likely it should be just by calculating it.

A parabola consists of one "U-shaped" curve. A hyperbola consists of two such shapes mirroring each other.

Taking math tests on a computer is the same as taking a math test on paper, only that you probably can't easily show your work on the computer. Keep some paper by your computer so you can work through the math problems on paper before submitting the answers on your computer.

Just simply use the method SOH CAH TOA, that will help you.

Take a deep breath, and keep working.

Calming yourself with deep breaths may help. Start by reading the question 2-3 times to make sure you understand exactly what's being asked. Take a moment to think "big picture" (i.e., what you need to do to calculate an answer) before you get into the details. Then start working and check your answer after you come up with a solution.

You need to be aceing the one you're in currently and be ready to take on the additional work. You can talk to your guidance counselor about it.

If you're allowed, you could always organize your own study group. If not, you could ask a parent to quiz you with flashcards, or you could just go over the material in the text book on your own. If you don't have a good grasp of the material, ask your teacher if he/she can meet with you before or after class to go over things.

Follow the tips in Get Good Grades in Math .

It could be because you are studying too quickly and missing important information. Ask your teacher for help if you are struggling.

It must mean you're making mistakes! Double-check your work before turning it in, and whenever you don't understand something, ask for help from a teacher, a tutor, a friend or a classmate.

Subtract total expenses from total income. If the result is positive, a profit has been made. If the result is negative, there's been a loss.

It sounds like you're not really understanding the material. You can ask your teacher for extra help, ask another student for assistance or hire a professional tutor (someone skilled in explaining things in a way you can understand).

See Understand Logarithms .

Get enough sleep at night, and remind yourself that doing well in school will pay nice dividends in your future.

Study really hard, pay attention in class, and make sure to take good notes. It could help to form a study group with other motivated students. (If they're not serious about doing well, they probably won't be able to help you.)

Hire a tutor or ask a teacher or a trusted friend for help. You can pass math. You just haven't found the right "explainer" yet. Someone nearby knows how to present math in a way that makes sense to you. The trick is to find that person.

It sounds like you need to find a good tutor, someone who knows how to explain things in a way that makes sense to you ( because apparently your teachers are not accomplishing that). It may be that a classmate or a relative could tutor you successfully. If not, ask everyone you know if they can recommend such a person. It should be someone skilled in explanation, someone who can offer a steady and well-thought-out foundation in the subject(s) in which you need to improve.

Talk it over with or without a third party.

SOA means "Sine equals Opposite over Hypotenuse." CAH means "Cosine equals Adjacent over Hypotenuse." TOA means "Tangent equals Opposite over Adjacent."

Just remember that every job in the world requires math. And often it's not that you don't feel positive about the subject, it's that no one else feels that way and therefore you want to conform to the norm. Find fun ways to learn, like using apps, online tools and watching videos. There are plenty of enthusiastic math teachers and math lovers leaving great content online for you to learn from!

Just do your best to pay attention. Set goals such as getting a 90% on a math test. Study as much as you can. If you think math is terrible, set goals that have towards. For example, if you finish a page of homework, you can allow yourself to have a small piece of candy. Don't let yourself get lazy on the rewards though.

Try to abbreviate and shorten your notes by using symbols and acronyms. You can always go back after note taking and expand on what you originally wrote down or to rewrite your notes, which will also help with reinforcing what you've learned. It helps to keep your wording to a minimum and to note take in your own words.

Take breaks! For every hour you study, give yourself a 10 minute break to walk around, stretch, get a drink or a snack, and just clear your mind a little. This is absolutely necessary during long stretches of studying so you can keep your concentration.