What can I do to get better at math?

Question

I'm horrible at it, and now I'm worried now that I'll be entering college this June. Worse, my course (BS Bio) requires a lot of math (college algebra, plane trigonometry, geometry, etc.). Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Practice is the only way out. If you don't keep in touch with math, you tend to get weaker in the subject and you subsequently lose your touch. Math is not like Science. You tend to remeber scientific facts and chemical formulae years after you study them as all you need to do is mug up. But math is a case of application of concepts, which can be kept going only by practice

Answer 2

Practice, practice, practice.

I would strongly recommend NOT skipping any classes. Start from the ground and work your way up. Limits are the most important topic in the entire curriculum...so pay special attention to them.

Secondly, read the chapter before the class, and just pay attention to what the professor is teaching. Do not write everything down even if the rest of the class is doing it. Listen for hints, and only write down solutions.

Thirdly, read questions carefully. Write down the formulae you know, figure out what exactly they're asking for, and figure out how you find that. Then apply it to the question at hand.

Last point: ask for help (try the questions first though) as soon as you run into trouble. Don't let things get out of control (and they can do so quickly!)

Math is not something you can learn and recall. You just need to do as many questions as possible and try to understand as best as you can.

Answer 3

Practice, practice, practice. No pain, no gain. When you get stuck, go back to your books to find out exactly where and why you're stuck, then carry on. Have a break when your brain gets numb, but not before. Very soon you'll be powering along and wondering what the problem was. Your brain is like a muscle: the harder you work it, the better it gets.

Answer 4

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www.themathpage.com
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