Math Made Easy

Now that you have found this article, it is clear that you have some motivation to be better at math. Sadly, there is no "easy button", even if Staples claims there is. If you can follow these easy steps, it should guide you in the right direction.

1. Start Small

No matter what your subject is, complex partial differential equations to high school algebra, you will not get anywhere by starting at the back of the book or with the hardest problems you can find. Harder problems are built on concepts and techniques that the problem creator assumes you already know. Thus, it is your job to first learn the concepts and techniques. Read the book, and do simple problems first. They will reinforce what you have learned already and help you build the confidence to tackle ever harder problems.

2. Read the book

The best way to learn the concepts, and expose yourself to the theorems, is by reading the book. I know, most of us HATE to read the book, and thus go right to the problems, but if you want to solve problems you need to understand the concepts behind them. Read slowly, and if you don't understand a word or a sentence, go find out what it means. It could be the reason you don't understand why or how the next theorem introduced works or has any relevance at all.

3. Do the homework

Do the homework again. Do the homework again and again. The only way you will learn problem solving skills is to solve problems. You will see that even if you did the problem yesterday, you might not be able to solve it that easy today. Of course, the goal is to get to the point where you can solve the problem without much difficulty.

4. Go to class

The instructor might be able to explain things much better than the book can. If you have any questions you were not able to resolve yourself, class is the time to ask. Do not be afraid that your question is stupid, because there are probably many more students in the class stuck on the same thing who do not possess the courage to actually speak up about it.

5. Reference

By nature, some textbooks and some authors just suck. They are unclear and seem to pull solutions out of some magic mathematical hat. The good news is, you do not have to stick to that text if you feel that way. Ask your instructors, or other people who have been or are in your boat, and see if they can recommend you any books that have a knack for explanation, or a comprehensive solutions guide to a variety of pertinent problems. (They might even let you borrow!) For instance, one of the best calculus books around is "The Calculus Lifesaver" by Adrian Banner, and I have yet to find a course which uses this book as its main text.

6. Study Together

Go find a friend who is taking your course or one like yours and study together. Multiple researchers have shown that learning is reinforced when you have to explain it to someone else, plainly because you really have to know what you are talking about to get it across. Also, you will benefit if you are on the student end of such peer instruction. Think about it as someone giving you pieces to your puzzle while you are giving pieces to them for their own. Sometimes all it takes is a certain someone to say just the right words which makes it all click in your head. You will undoubtedly make good friends in the process.

7. Get Help

Usually there will be someone or somewhere at your school which provides tutoring services or assistance programs. It is not shameful to ask for help. There is no reason to struggle because of something as ridiculous as your ego. Go see your teaching assistants or your instructor. If they have office hours, show up every time you are stuck. It really helps to get to know those giving you your grades...that is...as long as you are nice.