When you studied math in school, it felt utterly boring. You stressed over fractions and equations, thinking how useless they will be in adult life. And truly, who needs calculus and geometry when you have a calculator or smartphone with you all the time? However, as you got older and wiser, you realized that math is not only about formulas. It is about your thinking process, which helps you solve issues every day.
Here we have collected some techniques and tools that can help you improve your math skills.
Practice Problems
It is impossible to learn anything without practice. To get better at math, you should try to apply a rule of 10,000 hours. Its essence is pretty simple: do something for 10,000 hours, and you will become a professional in what you do. You can apply this concept while practicing sports, art, public speaking, and math.
Learning how to solve math problems requires focus, time, and effort. Make sure to spend as much time as you can practicing math, from half an hour to a few hours per day.
Choose Your Math Online Course
Thanks to modern technological developments, you can take a math course without leaving your house. The Internet is full of online schools that propose courses on all math topics.
Online courses have some advantages over live ones. These are:
- accessibility from any place
- flexibility of schedule and study material
- ability to choose a suitable teacher
- price, which is usually lower than for live classes.
It is a perfect option for people who feel a lack of self-discipline to study or need a guide and detailed explanations.
Implement Calculation Games in Real Life
When you are a child, your parents often turn situations or problems into a game. In such a way, children not only have fun playing but also learn new skills.
You can use this simple trick in your adult life. Every time you need to calculate something or solve a math problem, try to turn it into a game inside your head. Replace the dollars you need to calculate with apples, for example.
This tricks your brain into thinking you’re having fun instead of doing math. Moreover, when you bring math into your everyday life, it will feel more effortless and natural to you with time.
Watch YouTube Videos
A few years ago, YouTube was just a platform with funny videos and movie reviews. Now it is also an educational tool of sorts. There are hundreds of YouTube channels that provide you with video explanations on every topic possible. The math video segment is quite big, so you will find something you need for sure.
Another perk of YouTube videos is that you can watch them in any language. Thanks to automatic subtitles, you will be able to understand everything a person says without a problem. Fast, accessible, and free, YouTube is a perfect option for people who are into visual information consumption.
Use Math Apps
The same as meditation, sleep, and yoga apps, math applications have become a trend during the pandemic. They are simple, quick, and accessible to all users. You can find them in Google Play or Apple Store. Some are free, some you have to pay for.
Finding an app that will suit your needs is simple. An app with lots of theory and exercises, or simple games to play every day — the choice depends on what is your way to study math. If you are not sure what app to use, look through reviews. They are written by users like you and may prove to be pretty useful. You can also google lists of the best math apps and find out more about each of them.
In conclusion
When you learn math, the most important part is to find suitable tools. This choice strongly depends on your own way of thinking and learning. If you have the self-control and focus necessary to study independently, practicing math problems is for you. If you are a visual learner or require a flexible schedule — videos on YouTube and online courses are good options. Mobile apps are perfect if you are an active smartphone user. And if you are into education through routine, try to implement math in your everyday life. All these tools can help you learn, but the suitable one will make this process faster and more fun.