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Why Learn Mathematics?
Why Learn Mathematics?
Technology is everywhere around us, and you need mathematics to master it!
In fact most top-paying jobs need good math skills:
Doctors
Vets
Engineers
Scientists
Software Developers
Marketing Analysts
Financial Officers
Investment Managers
and more ...
And Mathematics is not just numbers, it is about patterns, too!
So jobs like fashion and interior design will benefit from math skills.
Mathematics is also useful in everyday life:
Investing money (interest rates, profits, etc)
Estimating costs
Shopping (is it really a bargain?)
Understanding Computers
Designing rooms and gardens
Planning trips
And anyway, it is just plain fun: what other subject is about solving puzzles?
How to Learn
How to Learn
Learning has two major steps:
Get the information ... read, listen to a teacher, watch a video.
Use the information ... sketch it, think about it, answer questions.
Using it is so important! Answering questions helps you organize the ideas in your mind*.
How to Read Mathematics
How to Read Mathematics
Mathematics says a lot in a short space.
Example, in English: "We don't know what staplers or trays cost, but we do know that the office manager bought 15 staplers and 11 trays for a total cost of $73"
But in Mathematics: 15s + 11t = 73
So it is good to re-read, go back and forth and play with the ideas.
Reading Mathematics is different to reading English
Read it, think about it, read again, write it down or sketch it out, and then use it (by answering questions), that all helps to get the ideas into your mind.
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Read it once first to see there is °F (which means Fahrenheit) on one side, and °C (Celsius) on the other side, with some calculations.
Now go over it again and see that °C is multiplied by 9/5 and think "I wonder why that is done? Why 9/5?" Then notice that 32 is added ... why is that?
Maybe you could make a sketch (as shown below)
Then try using it yourself, do a few conversions and see how it works
Make Sketches
Make Sketches
It really helps you to understand if you try sketching what you are learning*.
Make large and bold sketches with plenty of labels and notes.
Like this sketch about Celsius and Fahrenheit:
Work Neatly
Work Neatly
Working neatly helps you think more clearly
and also gives you good mental habits.
Have pride in your work, even if it may go into the bin later.
Take Your Time!
Take Your Time!
Math is not about reading pages ... it is about building concepts in your mind.
So don't think "I read 2 pages today", instead think "I understand graphs better now".
It is important to learn about one idea at a time, make sure you understand it, and do plenty of exercises so you become expert.
Important: If you skip past a section, the rest may not make sense.
You will get confused, frustrated, and you will begin to hate the subject.
The cure?
Go back to wherever it made sense,
then move gently forward again,
do plenty of practical things like solving questions and doing sketches
And you will soon be "back on track"
Read a Lot
Read a Lot
Get some books, and read them. Spend time on math websites (like this one!), and join a forum (like the Math is Fun Forum).
Come Up With Your Own Ways
Come Up With Your Own Ways
You have your own learning style.
Don't just follow the steps you are shown, try your own ideas!
Play with the ideas you are learning.
And try reading about the same subject from different places, you may find some that make a lot more sense to you.
Your mind is an amazing and unique tool, and you want to use it the best way you know how.
And studying mathematics is a good way to improve it!
All About Ideas
All About Ideas
It is more important to know the ideas than to remember the formulas.
If you know how things work, you can always re-create the formulas when you need them. And you may also be able to do more clever things with your ideas.
http://www.mathsisfun.com/mathematics-learning.html
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