How Can i get good at math?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I took precalc in 11th grade, and got a C. I didnt take any math senior year, and basically all my math skills went down teh drain after SAT.</p>

<p>im a college freshman now, and im taking statistics....i have the entire summer to practice math. (real math like calc) im determined to make it past calculus...can anyone help me out?</p>

<p>i know of sites like MIT OCW and KHAN academy and plan on using them...i want to brush up/relearn all of my pre calc/calc skills </p>

<p>thanks! im desperate!</p>

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<p>Only way to get good at math is to keep doing practice problems, viewing/attending lectures, then keep doing practice problems, maybe reading some theory, then keep doing practices problems, maybe attend a study group, then keep doing practice problems, maybe get a tutor, then keep doing practice problems, go to office hours of your professors when you struggle, then keep doing practice problems.</p>

<p>I think you can extract the common theme from my message. Do lots of practice problems and learn from your mistakes. I like use a solution guide (with full step by step breakdowns of the problems) to help me when I attempt practice problems. I first try the problem blind, then compare it to the correct answer to see where I made a mistake. A lot of it is trial and error. Makes mistakes in practice to learn from them when the real thing arrives (tests).</p>

<p>Math is like going to the gym, you need to constantly work at it in order to get in peak shape. If you don’t use it you quickly lose it.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the insight…that is why i dislike math-cant even take your mind off it…however, is there any way you would recommend for me to practice precalc/calc over teh summer? i wont have access to a live professor, but i do have time for books/online stuff…</p>

4

<p>Just do practice problems, like he said.</p>

<p>I like watching the MIT math lectures and the stuff at khanacademy.org </p>

<p>I am not sure if they go all the way down to precalc stuff, but its worth a shot. Especially khan.</p>

<p>Or Paul’s Online Math Notes</p>

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<p>You could also try tutoring and stuff like that…see if you know anyone that is good at math and ask them for help.</p>

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<p>

Wrong approach. Go back and learn everything that you are currently muddy on, particularly algebra and pre-calc. You should be able to do these in your sleep before you take calculus or you’ll get crushed. </p>

<p>Math becomes really easy once you are on top of things. Until then students are so caught up with “how did he get from this line to the next?” that they don’t grasp the big new concepts.</p>

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<p>Practice, practice, practice - for the topics that you’re learning.
Also make sure you’re solid on the basics, especially higher-level algebra such like properties of logs and basic trig. Math is sort of like a building - if you don’t have a solid base, it’s really hard to build up (understand) new concepts.</p>