<p>I recently moved up from Level 1 math (Alg II) to Honors Precalc this year. Math is definitely not my forte, so I'm struggling with the speed needed for quizzes/tests in Honors Math, as the problems in my level 1 class last year were far less challenging and less in number. </p>
<p>It's not SAT or problem math I have trouble with, but with more specific and challenging topics, like the rational functions/graphs quiz we just had. The jump from level 1 to honors is HUGE in our school's math program (2-3 kids move up each year), so I really have to increase my speed in working through math problems and the topics found in pre-calculus. </p>
<p>Any tips or techniques or special practices that any of you do?</p>
<p>Take notes, and redo all the problems you did in class after school. Do all your homework. Come for tutoring and ask questions. Have study sessions with friendly people who aren’t your friends (because we all know how friend study sessions end up).</p>
<p>If I were you I would do more homework. Which is terribly unsexy, but doing problem after problem will make you faster and make things easier. No secrets here :|</p>
<p>Do all of your homework, and do extra similar problems that have answers listed in the back of your book (if that applies). If you’re still confused, try to have some of your friends help with a few trouble spots during study hall. If you still don’t get it, ask the teacher for some additional help.</p>
<p>I agree with most of the people here, just make sure you do some extra problems so you can become accustomed with the type of material you are learning and thus become quicker solving them. Also, make sure you try to solve the harder questions, especially since it’s a higher level course, the teacher might put some difficult problems on the test. Review your notes from the class and go through the section of the textbook for the examples. If you still do not get it, go to extra help, there is no shame in doing so.</p>
<p>Thanks, so the general consensus is homework + more practice problems. Seems pretty reasonable.
Would timing my work help to keep me faster? Or would it detract from my concentration/focus?</p>
<p>Are there any exceptional resources online that provide a myriad of practice problems? As of now, for each chapter, there’s only the homework problems, book problems, and a review sheet. I think doing extra problems (more situations/problem types) would help me, but I can’t really find any reliable sources online.</p>
<p>You should just naturally get faster as you learn how to work with problems. I don’t think a timer is necessary, at least not at first. Maybe in the days leading up to a quiz or test, if at all.</p>
<p>The above websites look helpful, although the second seems to be geared toward more problem solving? As in more AMC type material?</p>
<p>I’m kind of looking for a website where there’s just problems and answers based on specific math subjects, i.e. rational functions, combinatorics, probability, limits, etc.</p>
<p>Doing every single problem in the book is hardly necessary… just do the ones near the end which are considered the “harder” problems in the section/lesson</p>
It is designed for contest math, but problem solving is extremely useful in high school math classes. Learning to spot the shortcuts in a problem can dramatically reduce the time it takes you to finish.
If this topic were simply about comprehension, I would agree. However, the OP specifically mentioned speed. Doing really basic things OVER and OVER and OVER drums them into your memory for fast recall. I imagine everyone here can handle basic multiplication with ease, but that is something you should DRILL on to get faster at solving math problems. Even though you know the process behind it, being so familiar with the rote combinations can help you blitz right through that part of a problem without having to stop and think about it. Remember, that split second you spend thinking about what times 9 equals 144 costs you ten times as much because you derail your thoughts and have to get back on track with the main problem. Practicing enough basic algebra to just KNOW how something factors or cancels is tremendously valuable if you want to increase your speed.</p>
<p>Sadly, I would be willing to. I’m more of a concepts person, as in I like to know the how and why of math and sciences (why my biology skills/knowledge is far better than my chemistry skills). However, since I haven’t really been in any classes, specifically honors math classes, that require both speed and efficiency. Thanks for everyone’s help, the online sources will be pretty helpful.</p>
<p>^ One last thought: you should make sure that the problems you repeat again and again are good problems. Doing terrible problems from a bad textbook will get boring. That’s why I recommend the contest prep problems - they drill the basics but also require interesting logic.</p>