Problems Encountered With Mathematics

Mathematics is a source of problems for many people. This article is devoted to assisting students with their studies in mathematics regardless of the level. It is not written in equations, so please open it and read. You may find something of value. Some years ago I was sitting in a mathematics faculty meeting at a university when the Assistant Dean of Science presented the mathematics faculty with a problem. Many students are taking advanced mathematic in high school in accelerated programs, but these same students often place in developmental mathematics. What is even worse is that many of them fail to pass the developmental course into which they place. The challenge was to figure out what might be the problem, and fix it. This indeed seemed at first to be a contradiction. However, after some reflection it became evident that the most likely source of the problem could be the time lag between taking algebra and taking the placement test.

The placement test for algebra was the first one given, and if a student passed it additional testing for trigonometry and calculus were in order. It appears that, while these students have many mathematical skills, they tend to become rusty in the skills they have learned several years prior to entering college. And, when a student is placed in the wrong class, as they assume they have been, they often have a tendency to assume there is no need to study. This can lead to the low grades that cause the gifted students to languish is developmental mathematics. The remedy is quite simple. Review the basics before taking the placement test. Once a person learns mathematics it is often a simple matter to bring that understanding back. But how could this be accomplished? I recommend Algebra Review Before College. This is available on Amazon and as a Kindle book. Preparation for the mathematics placement test at a college may save several courses, and prevent damage to self-esteem. I am the author of three of these.

Many students have an unusual fear of math. Frustration and lack of past successes often are the causes of math anxiety. How can a student overcome math anxiety? First, it is necessary to determine what study skills are necessary for success. Second, it is necessary to believe success is possible. This means POSITIVE THINKING! Third, it is necessary to stop worrying about the past. The study skills for math require that one realize math is learned differently than most other subjects. Math cannot be learned by memorizing facts. Math involves developing a process of logical thought. The good news is that math can involve using skills already developed. The only way to get past math anxiety is to develop appropriate study skills. 1. Practice. While other subjects might require reading, math requires practice. But practice in a way that reinforces the skill. It is inappropriate to practice problems, if they are being done incorrectly.

NEVER work a problem that you cannot check! Reinforcing the wrong technique increases frustration and wastes time. NEVER work a problem until you have checked the last one, or you may repeat the error. NEVER work past a problem with an error until you either get it correct, have looked at an example, or found other help and have corrected the problem. Often there are several ways of working the same problem. Search until you have found a method you understand. Get in a study group. Peer learning is effective. It is sometimes best to go to different sources of information simply because you then have several options to choose from. But be careful not to blend different approaches and add to the confusion. Ask yourself, did I study? Did I work each type of problem until I could work it correctly? If you answer yes then why would you not duplicate your success on a test? So, if you have prepared properly, expect to succeed. Ask yourself, am I not as smart as others in the class? Of course there were, so why shouldn’t you?

Don’t dwell on past failures. Do you own a calculator? Did you bother to learn how to use it? Delegate the arithmetic, and eliminate many careless errors. With the careless errors gone you should miss more problems and pass, with a good grade. So stop worrying and prepare to succeed. Reduce the problem length by adding one or two ideas to what you already know. However, realizing that only one or two new steps gets you to solving linear equations makes the problem reasonable. Increase your problem range by building on what you know rather than starting from scratch. Work in as few steps as possible. Every step is a potential careless error. Fewer steps means higher grades! Higher grades eventually lead to POSITIVE THINKING! Improve you test taking skill. Work the problems you know first. If there are enough of these that you are confident of passing, RELAX! This will increase your grade.