<p>I've always struggled in math class but seem to do good on math in standerized test. But what do you do to succeed in math? I do my homework and get A's on all of it, but bomb test. I currently got some cliff notes books and they seem to help. But what do you do, to prepare for test?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>BEst way to prepare is to study over a period of 2-4 days. Do all of the practice problems in your notes and then do all the book problems.</p>
<p>Yes, what Ameechee said. But I find that getting good at math is a LONG, LENGTHY process. It seems to be one of those things that you can practice like crazy but you don't really start getting good until years of doing it... if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>To be good at math you have to get into the mindset of understanding everything you are doing. As you do homework, or listen to lecture, think actively, making sense of exactly why things work out the way they do, etc. NEVER memorize. Always understand the reason behind a formula, because then you will be able to come up with it when you need it (and you will remember it anyway- much more easily than otherwise).</p>
<p>My view on this: </p>
<p>A lot of kids in my class got A's and end up bombing the AP test (3s....) because they just understand the numbers, but not the concepts. I think with math, esp. higher level, you have to understand the foundation of it. Then, the rest is simply easy.</p>
<p>My tip: Whenever you get stuck on a problem, or it's difficult for you, copy it down into your notes along with problem areas and reminders.</p>
<p>Just know what's going on.
I've hardly ever studied for a math test, and I break through the curves. Notice I'm not being cocky. As long as you "get" what's going on, you'll do fine.</p>
<p>practice 10 problems at the very least EVERY DAY. #4 days before the test, do a practice paper every day and dont bother with the extra hard problems at this stage.
This mehtod always gets me good grades</p>
<p>practice whenever you can--dentist's office, riding to school, study hall...</p>
<p>understand how the formula is derive. Then create a modified version that you can understand easier, that as if it still remains the same type.</p>
<p>do the problems, no way of getting around it</p>
<p>I disagree with all of these people that say you need to practice in every second of your spare time. I do the homework, I pay attention in class. When I'm taught how various formulas are derived and how to do other things, I just remember, I can't really explain how. I've also had really good teachers since 6th grade, for all but half a year of 9th grade math.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing is understanding where the formulas, theorems etc come from. I've had friends come up to me complaining about memorizing the number of radians in an angle (like 30 degrees) not knowing that you can just convert, and then wonder why they don't do well on math tests. I guess practicing will certainly help, although maybe it would also be helpful if you had someone to explain concepts and such. Go through the book problems, and don't be afraid to ask your teacher if you have questions.</p>
<p>Math is a language, a series of processes, and more. To become fluent in the language you must practice it constantly. In a test to be able to look at a number like 56 and to instantly understand many of its factors gives you an advantage over someone who has to sit down and figure the factors out.</p>
<p>There are two wonderful things about math: agreement and truth. In a world where nations can not even agree to which side of the street to drive on we have significant agreement on issues like the order of operations, number and operation symbols. Learning these rules and symbols should give one hope that Humans can learn to agree. </p>
<p>Math is also a search for the truth, which is beautiful and elegant. A universal truth about numbers and concepts. It doesn't matter if you are a human or not three things plus two things will egual two things plus three. These are the properties of numbers and represent basic truths of our universe. Understanding properties allows us to use and play with numbers.</p>
<p>Getting the correct answer is a step but learning how to play with the numbers will give you the depth of understanding that mathematicians have.</p>
<p>Some of you may find a desire to respond sarcastically to this note, but a truth about human beings and work is that it is the individual that decides what is fun and what is work. A mechanic watching the clock as he works on his customers car can get lost in the mystery of working on his own restoration. A student who dreads writing a paper can enjoy writing on a chat room.</p>
<p>If you can learn to influence your own ability to find things interesting to will find great joy in your learning.</p>
<p>Finding a great teacher is always a help.</p>
<p>I've tried out several methods, but keep coming back to the same technique: practicing more problems.</p>
<p>True...doing practice problems is probably the first step to ensuring a good performance on a test.</p>
<p>The second step is running through the proofs of the theorems, as others have mentioned earliar. Understanding HOW a theorem is derived helps you attain a better understanding of the mathematics you are studying.</p>
<p>I know math is 100% intuitive, either you're born good at it or you're not. Kind of like many other things, these are one of those subjects that you "just get." Doing well on homework and screwing the tests indicates you aren't naturally good at math, since on homework you can use the book to guide through the so called integrated approaches, but the tests make you think. sorry buddy that's life. We aren't all perfect.<br>
PS this is coming from a sophmore who got an 800M and finished calculus before even stepping into his high school. It's crazy because I have no math to do for 4 years except in Stats and chemistry, but other than that I'm pretty much done with math forever. Now I only wish i was born good at verbal comprehension.</p>
<p>I also strongly agree with Mr. B, math is a language. In fact if they asked me what my most fluent language was, it wouldn't be english, but rather numbers and mathematical notations.</p>
<p>if youre goood at math like applied math thinks one can be, the best way to do well in math is figure out where the formulas were derived, that way you can derive them on tests if you dont feel like memorizing :) also, youll know what kind on info you have and what your intimately-known formula will release.</p>