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When most students think of math they think of grueling algebra and long complicated equations.
We need to change the way student's think of mathematics. Rather than memorizing long formulas students need to approach math with a problem solving mind set. Some student's believe they just are not good at math or don't have a "math brain." Research has found that there is no such thing as a "math brain." Mathematicians are not born they are made.
Every student is capable of excelling at mathematics. The difference between the students who do well in math and those who don't is not some passed down gene but confidence. Psychologists have found that students who believe intelligence is malleable receive higher test scores than those who believe they are just inherently bad at math. Therefore, with a little confidence and hard work any student can do well in math class.
I will now break down 3 useful tips to ace your next math class!
1. Break down complex problems
“If you can’t solve a problem, then there is an easier problem you can solve: find it.”
— George Pólya
To solve any problem you need to break down key concepts and information. Once you understand all the concepts you can make a plan on how to solve the problem. Once a plan is made you can execute it. Once the problem is solved ask yourself is there a better way to solve the problem.
2. Failure is apart of Success
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly"
— Robert Kennedy
To be good at mathematics one must fail at mathematics. Productive failure is the best way to learn. Sometimes using ineffective methods to solve a problem leads to other important mathematical ideas and discussions. Getting the solution wrong also makes students think of other methods and procedures to use which helps in strengthening the problem solving process.
3. Practice makes better
"Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice".
— Anton Checkhov
It is impossible to learn mathematics by just reading and writing. To be good at math one must practice. The fact that you are good at precisely what you practice is probably due to the fact that different kinds of practice activate different neural connections. Thus, one is not inherently good at math. To be good at math one must practice math.
