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As it gets more complicated, we can go back to the list to remind us of the words we learned recently but are hazy about. When we learn a foreign language, it’s good to keep a list of the new vocabulary as we come across it. Most math formulas involve some Greek letters, or perhaps some strange symbols like ^ or perhaps a letter with a bar over the top. If you try to learn formulas without doing the practice first, then you are just making it more difficult for yourself. But if you don’t practice, then the weak bonds are broken. If you practice a new skill, the connections between neurons in your brain are strengthened. They do it because they know repetition is a very important aspect of learning. You know, math teachers don’t give you homework because they are nasty creatures. When you create your summary list of formulas, include conditions and relevant pictures, graphs and diagrams. Most of us find it difficult to learn things in a vacuum, so make sure you learn the formulas in their right context. Diagrams, graphs and pictures always help.
MATH ILLUSTRATIONS HELP WITH FORMULAS HOW TO
You will begin to associate the picture with the formula and then later when you need to recall that formula, the associated image will help you to remember it (and its meaning, and its conditions).ĭuring exams, many of my students would try to answer a question with the wrong formula! I could see that they successfully learned the formula, but they had no idea how to apply it. When you need to learn formulas, also learn the conditions for each formula (it might be something like "if x > 0").Īlso draw a relevant diagram or graph each time you write the formula (it might be a parabola, or perhaps a circle). Our brain cannot see the connections between the words and so they are quickly forgotten.ĭon’t just try to learn formulas by themselves - it’s just like learning that meaningless list. MeaningĪll of us find it very difficult to learn meaningless lists of words, letters or numbers.
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I always used to read ahead when I was a student and I would be calm in class while all my friends were stressed out and confused about the new topic. This step may only take 15 minutes or so before each class, but will make a huge difference to your understanding of the math you are studying. Look up any new words in a dictionary so you reduce this stumbling block in class. This technique also gives you an overview of the diagrams, graphs and vocabulary in the new section. That’s OK - when your teacher is explaining them you already have a "hook" to hang this new knowledge on and it will make more sense - and it will be easier to memorize the formulas later. Get a general idea about the new formulas in advance, before your teacher covers them in class.Īs you read ahead, you will recognize some of it, and other parts will be brand new. Here are 10 things you can do to improve your memory for math formulas. In a recent IntMath Poll, readers indicated that the hardest thing about math was learning the formulas.