Improve Your Basic Mathematics

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Offline bcdas

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Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« on: April 04, 2011, 12:10:01 PM »
Mathematics is a part of basic science as well as called the father of knowledge. We have received many requests for tips on how to improve Mathematics. In our competitive age, we have to face many difficulties in Math. In this first part, we will offer some tips on how to improve a subject that some love while others hate – Mathematics.

1. If You Hate Mathematics, Don’t!

Like all subjects, you cannot master Mathematics if you already hate it.

"But I really hate it!" some students may say.

To these students, we ask you, "How many days do you get by without using Mathematics in your lives?"

Each morning when you wake up, you look at your clock or watch to read the time. You probably learn how to read clocks from your Mathematics teacher in Primary 1 or 2.

You reach the bus stop and prepare your bus-fare. During recess time, you go to the canteen and pay for some food items. You probably learn how to count, add and subtract money from your Mathematics teacher in Primary 2 or 3.

Back in class, your teacher asks you to form groups of four to discuss some homework. You probably learn how to count from your Mathematics teacher in kindergarten or Primary 1.

We can go on and on, but you get the point. The point is that Mathematics is part of our life and there is no way you can run away from it. So if you do not like Mathematics, you will suffer.

Hey, the least you can do is learn to accept Mathematics. Like it or not, it is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.

2. Mathematics Is Not A Dead Subject!

Some students may like Mathematics but have difficulties learning it. The problem may be because these students do not realise that Mathematics is not a dead subject. You cannot learn Mathematics simply by trying to memorise it. You have to understand the basic Mathematics concepts, "see the pattern", and apply them.

For example, if your Mathematics teacher has taught you that 4 + 4 = 8, then you must realise that $4 + $4 = $8, 4 kg + 4 kg = 8 kg, 4 cm + 4 cm = 8 cm, and so on so forth.

But that’s not all. Once you have understood the basic Mathematics concepts, you cannot just sit there and do nothing about it. You have to try Mathematics sums and problems, and as many as possible. Mathematics is a practice subject. The more you practice, the better you will be at it. This is especially true for the more difficult Mathematics topics, such as ratios, percentages and algebra.

Apart from that, you must also always try to solve the same type of Mathematics sums and problems using different approaches. For example, there are many ways to solve 39 + 4. You can either use the "count on" strategy, the "add the ones then add the tens" strategy, the "add 1 to 39 to make 40 and subtract 1 from 4" strategy, and more.

The more approaches you try to solve the same Mathematics sums and problems, the better your Mathematics problem-solving skills will be.

3. Learn Mathematics By Examples!

Sometimes, you may run into difficult Mathematics sums and problems. If you cannot solve them, always approach someone for help, such as your Mathematics teacher or tutor, and your classmates.

You can also get a good assessment book or guide book that offers plenty of worked examples. By learning from worked examples, you will begin to see the pattern in solving certain types of problem sums. Go through these worked examples carefully and understand how and why they are solved using the methods shown. Then try to solve the Mathematics problem on your own without looking at the method shown.

After that, try other similar Mathematics problems and see if you can also solve them using the same method. Where possible, find out if there are other ways of solving the same Mathematics problems too.

4. Try Challenging Mathematics Problems!

If you are already very good in Mathematics, then trying many more of the simple Mathematics sums and problems will not help you become better, nor will it be challenging for you. You should consider trying more difficult and challenging Mathematics problems that require more than just elementary Mathematics skills to solve. The pleasure of being able to solve a very difficult or challenging Mathematics problem is immeasurable and you can only understand how it feels like when you do that.

However, beware of books that claim to contain challenging problems when they actually do not.

So there you have it. The way to learn and master Mathematics is to like it, understand it, practice it and attempt challenging Mathematics problems!


In our next step we will discuss with some numerical examples.  





Bimal Chandra Das
Senior Lecturer
TE Dept.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2011, 11:28:40 AM by bcdas »
Dr. Bimal Chandra Das
Associate Professor
Dept. of GED, DIU

Offline Shamim Ansary

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Be an Expert in Math
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2011, 02:36:25 PM »
Be an Expert in Math


There is more to math than just equations, theorems, algebra and constructions (and memorizing the digits of pi isn't math) Follow the steps and you can not only understand the diversity of real mathematics but also become an expert at it!
Steps

   1. Vacation Study- Vacation is a time enjoy .But if you plan on improving your math some changes are necessary.
          * Along with enjoyment find some time(at least 2 hour)to revise your previous lessons.
          * If you have any doubts, clear it immediately with the help of your elders or friends(you may also take the help of the internet).
          * If you're done with your revision,take a break for 1-2 days(don't be too happy there is more to it).
          * By the end of the vacation you would have improved (at least a little) and will be ready for school.
   2. Concentration - This is the most important part that you should take care of while dealing with math.
          * Be careful don't let your mind wander in class. During class hours, clear your mind and only concentrate on the topic.
          * Don't get distracted in any manner(or else you'll lose your concentration).If in case your friends are too distracting find another good spot which is comparatively silent.
   3. Take notes- In class have a special note for math. Note down all important mathematical ideas which have been discussed in the class (and understand them). It would be great to write down every word your teacher said, but that is virtually impossible. Take special care to ensure that your notes are legible and understandable, but try to write quickly, leaving out short, meaningless words.
          * If your teacher is nice enough to point out what specifically will be on the test, use that to your advantage. Write it down.
   4. Clarify your doubts- Doubts should be cleared immediately if you have any. But try not to disturb the class or the teacher while clarifying your doubts.
   5. Don't fall behind in class- In math, especially in algebra, the lessons build on top of one another, so that if you sleep through September, you might be in real trouble when October comes... Try to be disciplined about doing your math homework, and pay attention in class. If you make a habit of these things, the class will seem generally easier.
   6. Get a study partner- Find someone in the class who cares as much about doing well in the class as you do. Make a habit of getting together to do your homework, or talking about the homework on the phone. Math can seem less scary when you don't have to do it alone. In fact, when you and a friend are working together to solve problems, it can be kind of fun.
   7. Make a routine of studying at a certain time. Find a certain time everyday when you can study. It might only be 30 minutes, but if you can say "I'll study everyday at 4:30," it'll make a huge difference. People don't like to change, but if you can make it a habit of studying at your time in your special study place, it will be easier to sit down and work.
   8. Find an after-school tutor- This can be a paid tutor, or any of your friends.Don't wait until you are getting failing grades to find a tutor, but find one at the first sign of trouble. Don't be afraid to take advantage of any available help.
   9. Stay calm- Many people suffer from "math anxiety," where just thinking about math, gets them feeling less than confident and nervous. This makes them put off studying and homework until it is too late. Don't let the math scare you, or make you feel bad. Math can be hard to learn, but you can do it.
  10. Don't by heart- Studying By heart is no way to study math.You have to revise the problems discussed in class again and again and thus only you can improve.
  11. Make up any work you may have missed or failed miserably. Whether or not your teacher asks you to redo that homework assignment you forgot about (I know - your dog ate it), there is no substitute for actually doing the work. You certainly won't pass the quiz on Tuesday's material if you don't understand Monday's lecture because you were busy Friday night. Doing old tests and homework may also serve as a good review prior to a big test!
  12. Don't cheat. At all. Ever. Under any circumstances. Or if you do, go back and do the work yourself until you understand it. It may look great if you get a 95% on that quiz, but you're still going to bomb the next test. Sure it's an old cliche, but the only person you hurt by cheating is yourself.
  13. Prepare for tests- Make sure that you know what will be on each test, and practice those kinds of problems. Ask your teacher for a sample test. Study for the tests with your "study buddy." Get a good night's sleep before each test, too.
  14. Don't wait until the last minute. Try studying a little bit every night until the test. If you try to study the night before, you probably will forget everything and be tired and unprepared. The best idea is to just review key ideas and such the day before and morning of.

Tips

    * Thinking is the best strategy to tackle math exams, think in every manner to solve the problem.
    * Always have faith in yourself and think that you can complete the given job.If you don't have faith in yourself,you'll end up becoming not good.
    * Always check your paper or worksheet at least twice before you submit it.
    * Develop practice tests and time yourself while taking them.
    * During class hours, copy all information that is written on the board.
    * Do math homework every day to get your mind going.
    * practice the sums "n" number of times until you know it perfectly.

Warnings

    * Do not copy. If you do,you'll end up getting caught.and become a
    * Don't ever give up.Try hard and give it your best shot.
    * Your improvement depends on one thing, and that is your willingness to do better. If you really don't want to make the effort and sacrifice, no amount of suggestions, ideas, or outlines can help much. You are the one who is responsible for your education, and and your life . To that end, one last word of advice -- work smart, not hard.



Source:http://www.wikihow.com/Be-an-Expert-in-Math
« Last Edit: April 04, 2011, 02:39:18 PM by Shamim Ansary »
"Many thanks to Allah who gave us life after having given us death and (our) final return (on the Day of Qiyaamah (Judgement)) is to Him"

Offline bcdas

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 11:43:45 AM »
History of Mathematics
Every culture on earth has developed some mathematics. In some cases, this mathematics has spread from one culture to another. Now there is one predominant international mathematics, and this mathematics has quite a history. It has roots in ancient Egypt and Babylonia, then grew rapidly in ancient Greece. Mathematics written in ancient Greek was translated into Arabic. About the same time some mathematics of India was translated into Arabic. Later some of this mathematics was translated into Latin and became the mathematics of Western Europe. Over a period of several hundred years, it became the mathematics of the world.

There are other places in the world that developed significant mathematics, such as China, southern India, and Japan, and they are interesting to study, but the mathematics of the other regions have not had much influence on current international mathematics. There is, of course, much mathematics being done these and other regions, but it is not the traditional math of the regions, but international mathematics.

By far, the most significant development in mathematics was giving it firm logical foundations. This took place in ancient Greece in the centuries preceding Euclid. See Euclid's Elements. Logical foundations give mathematics more than just certainty-they are a tool to investigate the unknown.

By the 20th century the edge of that unknown had receded to where only a few could see. One was David Hilbert, a leading mathematician of the turn of the century. In 1900 he addressed the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris, and described 23 important mathematical problems.

Mathematics continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. There is no end in sight, and the application of mathematics to science becomes greater all the time.




Bimal Chandra Das
Senior Lecturer
Dept. of TE
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 12:03:00 PM by bcdas »
Dr. Bimal Chandra Das
Associate Professor
Dept. of GED, DIU

Offline jas_fluidm

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2011, 04:40:42 PM »
appreciable post

Offline safiqul

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2011, 12:10:05 AM »
Nice post.
Md. Safiqul Islam
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Daffodil International University,Dhaka

Offline bipasha

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2011, 08:44:24 AM »
good post

Offline arefin

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2012, 09:51:19 PM »
Excellent Post BCD Sir.
“Allahumma inni as'aluka 'Ilman naafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan”

O Allah! I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision and deeds that will be accepted. [Ibne Majah & Others]
.............................
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DIU

Offline Sima

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2012, 04:41:40 PM »
Good post...
Sima Rani Dey
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Dept. of Natural Sciences

Offline tany

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2012, 12:07:03 PM »
Nice post...
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Offline akm_haque

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2012, 06:38:23 PM »
Really nice.
Professor Dr. A.K.M Fazlul Haque
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Offline Narayan

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2012, 09:21:09 PM »
Good post.....Helpful
Narayan Ranjan Chakraborty
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Offline Saba Fatema

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2012, 11:49:53 AM »
Encouraging post...
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Offline hassan

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2012, 11:51:46 AM »
It is very helpful....
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Faculty of Business and Economics
Daffodil International University

Offline tany

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2012, 04:07:00 PM »
Nice post..
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Offline baset

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Re: Improve Your Basic Mathematics
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2012, 05:32:04 PM »
Excellent Post Sir.
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