Five Things You Can Do to Improve Your Maths Skills

We often consider mathematics an obstacle that is very hard to overcome or even as a Herculean task sometimes. But what we don’t understand is that it is as easy as pie. Mathematics was designed to make calculations and daily life activities much easier. It allows us to comprehend and convert complex things into simpler equations so that we can reach for the stars—literally. So, why do we feel overwhelmed when we learn maths or solve a mathematical problem? Well, it all starts with the indoctrination that maths is a really hard subject. But in reality, it is easy. I mean, it looks tough, but it is still achievable. After all, the twelve labours were hard for Hercules, but he managed to complete them all. So, here are some neat tricks that you can use to improve your maths skills.

1. Come Out of the Box

The very first thing that we should do is come out of the mindset that “math is hard.” Understand that maths is an easy subject when you put your mind to it. Students and the people surrounding them should recognise that maths phobia is a real problem, and pressuring children to do things they are not sure about will simply escalate that phobia. All this pressure and pushing to do uncomfortable things puts them in a box of discomfort and a belief that “math is my enemy.” It will be hard to learn new things when we are stuck in that box. So, the very first thing to do is come out of that box and accept that maths is like any other subject and that you can tackle it easily.

2. Learn the Basics

You won’t be able to solve anything unless you know the basics. The basics don’t just mean the fundamental rules in mathematics, like how to do addition or subtraction, etc. They also include the principles behind the equations you learn. For example, we all know what the Pythagorean theorem means: a^2 + b^2 = c^2

But the basic idea behind this is that there will be a number whose square will be equal to the sum of the squares of two other numbers.The best way to learn and improve your maths skills is to understand the logic behind the equations so that it will be easy for you to use them. You can also relate real-life examples to your learning. After all, Archimedes discovered the law of buoyancy while bathing, and Newton discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head. Although the second one is not entirely true, it does illustrate how you can look at simple things to understand complex ideas.

3. Solve Questions in Steps

Now, knowing the chapter, the concepts, and the takeaways in a chapter doesn’t make you an expert in solving questions. It takes good skill. But how do you acquire those skills?

Acquiring those skills is pretty easy if you follow these steps:

a. Approach a question: Try to read and understand the question. This is a really important step in solving any maths problem. Imagine finding the perimeter when the question asks you to find the area. Hence, knowing the question is essential.

b. Make a plan: This is the next big step. When you understand what the question is about, try listing down the equations from that chapter and filtering out the ones relevant to the question. You can find the equations by looking at the key concepts used in the question. The best way to do this is by underlining important words in the question.

c. Do the work: If you thought the work was over, get ready for the actual ride. This is where you use whatever you gained in the first two steps to solve the question. You can do this in steps, which is a good habit because it allows you to check if you are right or wrong as you go along.

d. Cross-check: Checking if you are right or wrong brings us to the last and crucial step of solving a question. No matter how easy a question may seem, it is better to cross-check once again before finalising the answer.

4. Learn with Games

Maths can be boring sometimes. The boredom comes when all you see are numbers and letters on a piece of paper. But maths is much more than that. Counting the steps of a staircase while you jump or climb up and down can help you remember the number systems. The same activity can help you learn addition and subtraction. Games also incorporate mathematical ideas. Use them to learn, and your maths skills will improve.

5. Many Ways to Solve One Problem!

A common misconception among children is that there is only one way to solve a particular problem. When faced with a problem, they believe they need to follow a specific method to reach their answer.

This limited way of thinking constrains the mathematical skills of a child. Help them broaden their minds by telling them the magic words: “There are many ways to solve a question.” In fact, there are countless methods to arrive at a solution. Sometimes, we may have to follow one specific method, but it doesn’t mean that no other way exists.

A classic example is solving quadratic equations. There are four methods to solve a quadratic equation: factoring, using the square roots, completing the square, and the quadratic formula. We usually resort to the quadratic formula because it is the easiest. But when you get stuck on that idea, you won’t be able to broaden your views.

See, mathematics is a complex subject. So are physics, chemistry, and even biology. A subject becomes complex when you perceive it as such. Try to look at it from a fresher perspective, and things will fall into place more easily.