Many students feel that being good at Math is an inborn skill; however, the truth is that anyone can thrive at Math. All you need are the right tips strategies. Here are some I used that helped me boost my Math marks over the past few years! Additionally, there are some tips on solving Math word problems at the end of this blog post!
1. Pay Attention In Class
This one might be a little obvious, but paying attention in class is key to getting the information teachers are giving you. Avoid distractions, focus on the lessons, and take notes. They are here to help you learn and develop those Math skills.
2. Remember to Ask Questions
Your teachers will teach you what you need to know, but they will always be happy to answer your questions. If you have a question, ask it. Sometimes you might be a little hesitant because you wanted to ask a question or two in the middle of a lesson, so save those questions until the end. Jot them down so you don’t forget. It is likely that there are other students in your class who have the same questions. Don’t wait for someone to ask. Be confident and raise your hand, or you could risk falling behind and making things more difficult on yourself.
3. Find a Study Partner or Group
We are absent from class every once in a while for legitimate reasons. It’s good to find a friend or classmate to be your study partner. They will have the notes you need and tell you the homework questions you missed from class. You could also form a study group! A study group could work together on challenging Math problems and discuss difficult concepts. Forming positive relationships is good practice for the real world. One benefit of being in a study group is that you study and do practice tests with other people.
4. Do All Homework
Homework is never a choice. Some students tend to leave homework and do it last minute, like the night before a Math test. It is important to do your homework so that you can master the concepts taught in class and explore problems and their solutions. Doing your homework daily can also help you get into a good study routine as well.
5. Understand Every Mistake
If you made a mistake on your homework, quiz, or test, don’t ignore it just because you want to let it go or because it was just a small mistake. It is crucial to go over the mistakes, understand what you did wrong, and fix it. If you are unsure what the mistake was, ask your teacher. A similar question to the one you messed up on could appear in another evaluation.
6. Show Your Work
You want to ensure showing how you got to your final answers. Many teachers will look for your demonstration of Math skills and application of concepts. Showing your work might also earn you part marks. If you have the wrong answer but were on the right track or have the correct thought process, you may be able to earn a few marks because you showed your understanding.
Please keep in mind that the tips and strategies mentioned above are from my own experiences and opinions. Your Math marks won’t be higher overnight, but try using these tips and strategies, and remember to practice, practice, practice. As Tiger Woods once said, “No matter how good you get, you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” Best of luck with your studies!
P.S. Here is a summary on how to solve Math word problems (taken from this site).
Read the problem entirely.
Look for keywords. Here is a list of words that indicate certain mathematical operations:
Addition:
increased by
more than
combined, together
total of
sum, plus
added to
comparatives ("greater than", etc.)
Subtraction:
decreased by
minus, less
difference between/of
less than, fewer than
left, left over, after
save (old-fashioned term)
comparatives ("smaller than", etc.)
Multiplication:
of
times, multiplied by
product of
increased/decreased by a factor of (this last type can involve both addition or subtraction and multiplication!)
twice, triple, etc.
each ("they got three each", etc.)
Division:
per, a
out of
ratio of, quotient of
percent (divide by 100)
equal pieces, split
average
Equals
is, are, was, were, will be
gives, yields
sold for, cost
3. Figure out what you need, but don’t have.
4. Name the things you have.
5. Pick variables to stand for the unknowns. Label/state what these variables represent
6. Draw and label diagrams if needed.
7. Once you figure out what you need, state your final answer in a sentence.
Edited By: Khushi Kumari
Tanya is a grade 11 student in a program that specializes in Mathematics, Science, and Technology at a high school in Toronto, Ontario. Although she has many favourite subjects, she likes studying Mathematics and Chemistry the most. She also loves volunteering and being a part of her school’s business and biology club, hoping to one day pursue a career in the STEM fields and help those in need.
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