memorizing vs. understanding changes of variables?

Question

its easy to memorize, the problem with memorization is that it usually stays in your head for about a week or so, and then its gone. I find that if I understand why something is, if I understand the concept, if I am able to visualize it I can remember it for a long time, perhaps forever. I am having trouble visualizing and understanding changes of variables in multivariable calculus, can someone please help me visualize it?

Answer 1

The human memory system works something like this:
You recieve about 5,000 bits of information every moment that area recieved in your sensory receptors (eyes, ears, etc.) the information can stay in these sensors for only 1/4 of a second. From there your "attention" will grab 10-30 bits of information which then are stored in your short term memory. Your short term memory will store only 7-10 bits on average the rest becomes "thrown away". The rest can be stored in your long term memory through one of two ways: Impact and Rehearsal. Impact is the personal affect the event has on you and rehearsal is where you "rehearse" the information enough times to be stored in your memory. I would suggest that you use visual tools to pick out the most pertinent information, break it down into smaller pieces and work with those first. Then rehearse them over and over try tying in an event that would have an impact so that it is more likely to be stored into your long-term memory. an example would be Calculus is going to help you use and apply your knowledge to other things through your college career so break it down and apply to everyday things. This is a great method I find to be very effective. This will help you memorize as well as understand- the combination will help you retain more information overall, especially when you try to integrate the information into other aspects of education and life.

Answer 2

This means that you need to go through the examples, figures and tables in the book and taught in class and make sure you understand how the answers were arrived at. It helps to walk through the examples while putting the relevant parts in writing on paper. You also need to think about the material. (In short, time, effort, thought are needed from you). And yes you can apply the knowledge to a new situation. You ALREADY can do that. For example, I am sure you know that if you have two apples and give one to me, you'll only have one apple left. Now, what if *I* have two *cookies, and give one to you? How many will I have left? And if I tell you that Vanessa should leave her husband because he beats her up, would you be able to say what Bobby Lou should do given she's in a marriage where her husband beats her up?

Answer 3

Think that you can follow a curve on a graph. You can slide on it slower or faster, according to the variable in which the function is defined. But the curve doesn't change itself.

Answer 4

understand first before you memorize... memorizing formulas only gives you the convinience of not derriving all the formulas over and over everytime you need to use it... it is best to frst understand the principle of why in the world are you studying it and wat are the basic and practical applicatons of it.

if you're having problems ith your caulus, i suggest you first strenghten you algebra. understand the basic derrivatives, memorize them, and that's it.. you can see every step of the why how these variables change depending on your parameters.

Answer 5

understanding makes you to rethink , memorizing makes you to score more