Learning Mathematics

Why Learn Mathematics?

Technology is everywhere around us, and you need mathematics to master it!

Taking Blood Pressure

stock exchange

In fact most top-paying jobs need good math skills:

  • Doctors
  • Vets
  • Engineers
  • Scientists
  • Software Developers
  • Marketing Analysts
  • Financial Officers
  • Investment Managers
  • and more ...

 

 Computer Games

skyscraper

tiles

And Mathematics is not just numbers, it is about patterns, too!

So jobs like fashion and interior design benefit from math skills.

 

Mathematics is also useful in everyday life:

Mathematics also improves our mental ability as it teaches us logical ways of thinking.

And anyway, it is just plain fun: what other subject is about solving puzzles?

How to Be an Expert

There are two major steps:

learn get use  

Get the information ... read, listen to a teacher, watch a video.

Use the information ... sketch it, think about it, answer questions.

Using it is so important! Answering questions helps you organize the ideas in your mind*.

Try to do about 1 hour of practice on your own each day*

How to Read Mathematics

Mathematics says a lot in a short space.

Example, in English: "We don't know what staplers or trays cost, but we do know that the office manager bought 15 staplers and 11 trays for a total cost of $73"

But in Mathematics: 15s + 11t = 73

So it is good to re-read, go back and forth and play with the ideas.

Reading Math
Reading Mathematics is different than reading English

Read it, think about it, read again, write it down or sketch it out, and then use it (by answering questions), that all helps to get the ideas into your mind.

Example: Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit

°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32

Make Sketches

It really helps understanding when you sketch what you are learning*.

Make large and bold sketches with plenty of labels and notes.

Like this sketch about Celsius and Fahrenheit:

 Temperature Sketch

Sketches are also very helpful when doing questions.

Work Neatly

work neatly
Working neatly helps you think more clearly
and also gives you good mental habits.

Have pride in your work, even if nobody else will see it.

Take Your Time!

Math is not about reading pages ... it is about building concepts in your mind.

So don't think "I read 2 pages today", instead think "I understand graphs better now".

It is important to learn about one idea at a time, make sure you understand it, and do plenty of exercises so you become expert.

Important: If you skip past a section, the rest may not make sense.

You will get confused, frustrated, and you will begin to hate the subject.

The cure?

And you will soon be "back on track"

Practice, Practice, Practice

Do lots of questions.

That is why we developed the Mathematics Question Database.

If you need to pass an exam, find past exams and do them*.

Read a Lot

Get some books, and read them. Spend time on math websites (like this one!), and join a forum (like the Math is Fun Forum).

Come Up With Your Own Ways

You have your own learning style.

Don't just follow the steps you are shown, try your own ideas!

Play with the ideas you are learning.

And try reading about the same subject from different places, you may find some that make a lot more sense to you.

Your mind is an amazing and unique tool, and you want to use it the best way you know how.

And studying mathematics is a good way to improve it!

All About Ideas

It is more important to know the ideas than to remember the formulas.

If you know how things work, you can always re-create the formulas when you need them. And you may also be able to do more clever things with your ideas.

 

*Bibliography:

Welcome to Mathematics Evolution of Numbers The Language of Mathematics Help! I Can't Do Mathematics!