<p>So I got my first PreCal test back today and the grade was an 82-B. I wouldn't be angry at all except I missed like 6-10 points because of careless mistakes. Any ideas how I could stop? This lowers my math grade to a high C.</p>
<p>Well, I'm probably getting a C on my first precalc test but that's because I suck at doing the deeper problems. Umm....check your answers?</p>
<p>Check your answers, then check them again, then try to check them using a different method. Use all the allotted time to check stuff.</p>
<p>Oh, and don't do lengthy computations on your calculator. Don't type sin(5/2 + .03 + cos(2)). Instead, calculate cos(2), then write down that value (to excessive sig figs), then add that value to 5/2 and .03, then write down that value, then take the sine of that. This helps avoid calculator mishaps, if that's part of your problem...</p>
<p>This is my problem and brought my math grade down all last year
idk what to do, because it is really because I'm not fast at math and am usually rushed for time and therefore don't have time to check my answers. If I had time to do that I wouldn't make the mistakes! Like on the midterm (a lot of extra time) I got the highest grade of all 90ish kids taking the class yet I got a B for the year.</p>
<p>do more practice problems</p>
<p>Check answers if you have time, but if you don't, try putting fewer parts of an equation in a calculator at a time.</p>
<p>For example, instead of 10*9/2+4^5, do 10 times 9, then divide that by 2, then add 4, etc. (I know that's not following PEMDAS, but oh well!)</p>
<p>yeah, do a lot of problems. I got a book that has a lot of practice, so I do that before a test if I'm unsure. You also realize your stupid mistakes</p>
<p>yeah, i have the same problem in math all the time, and this year in pre-cal i make careless mistakes frequently.</p>
<p>Go slow, and don't take shortcuts. Sure you'll have to pace yourself, but it's better if you can take your time and show some more steps.</p>
<p>I usually do the work on paper first, then check on the calculator. If you rely too much on your calculator you can make a whole bunch of mistakes just by punching the wrong button.</p>
<p>I agree, Anon<em>Person</em>1.
Also, if I have to enter a long computation on my calculator, I enter it twice to make sure that I got the correct answer.</p>
<p>Another idea for when you're doing a long computation ..</p>
<p>try it both ways, once typed into your calc like [3(7+8)/4]+7^2 or whatever and then the second time, do the little things one at a time and then put them together: 7+8, then that times 3, then that devided by 4, write that number down, then do 7^2 and add the two final numbers together.</p>
<p>if you don't get the same answer both times you should try to redo it the manual way, not typing it all in at once.</p>
<p>Do it by hand and then do again by calculator. Usually quicker and unless you screw up the calculator input you'll be fine.</p>
<p>Check your answers over and over, by calculator and hand. I do this and have perfect / near perfect scores on all my PreCal tests and quizzes so far.</p>
<p>Write every step of the problem.</p>