“How to become a master in math” is probably the question that popped into your mind when you came across this page. Math is considered to be the language of the universe. Avoiding learning this language is like a child not knowing an essential language such as English or Spanish. Some believe that being able to learn and apply math is a gift. However, it’s more of a skill that can be learned than a gift that people are bestowed upon birth. Here, we have seven tips and tricks to help you master math and become proficient in the subject.1 Disclaimer: You don’t need to be gifted. All you need is patience!
Table of Contents
Practice Hard
“Practice makes perfect” is one of the sayings that has captivated most of us and makes us assume that one fine day we will become “perfect.” However, practice makes us better, not perfect. It makes a person better than they were yesterday, provided that they work consistently. We call ourselves imperfect or claim that we are not good enough based on how we compare ourselves with others or hold unrealistic standards that may never be met. This is where most people stop and give up when it comes to math. In math, practice is what pushes you ahead more than anything else. Memorizing formulas is a good skill, but applying the formula is where a person’s proficiency is demonstrated. The only way to learn the application of these formulas is through practice. There is no shortcut to mastering math, and no magic pill will help.
Master the Basics and Concepts
Making bricks without clay is not possible. The first step to being good at math is to be well versed in the basics. The ease with which the basic mathematical operations and concepts are applied determines how quickly and effectively the advanced concepts can be tackled. Revise those formulas, concepts, and theories. Sit with a friend if required, get a tutor if necessary, or read up on memorizing techniques and get done with those basics. After this is done, mastering math is an adventure that is easy to deal with as the person is better equipped with basic math skills.
Do Not Allow Negative Biases to Take Over Your Mind
The biggest limitation is the one created by the mind. If a person assumes that math is not meant for them, they have already created a sense of disengagement with the subject. At this point, the journey becomes more difficult. The influence of math haters, passive disregard for the subject from adults, and other negative thoughts makes it harder to master math. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at math,” say, “I’ll improve every day.” Repeatedly reassuring oneself and believing in the capability to persevere will take a person far ahead.
Self-study is the Key
Even if you are guided by the teachers of the greatest mathematicians, mastering math is impossible without one key element—self-study. Let’s understand why self-study is important. Everyone has a different pace and a unique way of mapping different ideas in their minds. The only time this happens properly is when the person takes it upon themselves to study the subject. It is during self-study that most people understand the subject better and also choose a method that suits their learning needs. So, self-study is a very important tool that will help you in the process of mastering math.
Familiarize Yourself With Ways to Calculate Faster
Math is a subject with multiple ways to achieve a common answer. When setting the foundations in place, choose a method that is elaborate. In fact, simpler calculations can be done with certain techniques that can save a lot of time and energy. Even basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division have alternate methods that can get the calculations done quickly. Using the most efficient way to solve problems during examinations will save time and give you a better chance of cracking more challenging questions.
Apply Math to Real-life Problems
One of the best ways to remember something is by associating a concept with something that’s already known. This is the reason why word problems are quite popular in most math textbooks. Applying math to real-life problems provides context to keep a particular concept in your mind amidst the heaps of information a person usually gathers. The more associations a person can make, the higher their chances of learning math concepts. This is yet another key aspect that helps a person master mathematics.
Create a Math Dictionary
A dictionary is a book that gives a list of the meanings of the words of the English language in alphabetical order. A math dictionary does the same thing, except it provides you with the formulas and theorems you have learned. The key aspect is that you create this dictionary in the order that is appropriate to your requirements. The reason for creating this dictionary is that it will act as a quick reference guide and a recap mechanism that will hold the tools you need at the tips of your fingers. As you progress from one concept to another, a constant recap of the old formulas and theories makes it much easier to push ahead.
What was discussed here was just the tip of the iceberg. If you still feel like you can do more and you need a helping hand to set you on the track to mastering math, look no further! BYJU’S FutureSchool Blog has a repository of similar articles that discuss tips, tricks, and various engaging ways you can use to learn math efficiently and effectively.
References:
Top 7 Tricks to Master Mathematics. (n.d.). Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/top-7-tricks-to-master-mathematics-1474634955-1
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