how do i do my math homework

how do i do my math homework

Tips for completing math homework efficiently

1. Understanding the assignment

If you are still struggling to understand, it might be wise to talk to your teacher. Remember, it’s better to ask while you have the opportunity to do something about it rather than realize you did it wrong after class. A good way to do this is to explain what you think the assignment is to someone else. If you can’t do this without stopping or being confusing, you may need to go back a few steps.

Once you can answer these questions, you will have a clear idea of what the assignment is requesting and what you will need to do in order to complete it.

One of the first things that you can do to understand the assignment is to dissect it. Try to break it down to the basic processes that you think that you will have to undergo to complete the assignment. Ask yourself the following: – What are the major objectives of this assignment? – How will I know when each objective is complete? (Consider making a checklist.) – What questions do I need to answer in order to write a brief overview of this assignment? – What is the overall purpose of this assignment? – What will be the desired end result? (A report, explanation, equations, etc.) – What resources will I need to complete the assignment? (Books, websites, software, etc.)

2. Organizing your materials

Grasping assignment (Defining purpose for reading, translate directions, formulate questions and monitor behavior) – Read, then reread the directions of the assignment. Try to picture what the words mean. – Underline/highlight the important words in the directions. Look for words that indicate the operation to perform. Circle the numbers and key words. – Determine what is expected in solving the assignment. Are you to write out a dozen questions, a report, a dialogue or other composition? – What materials do you need to complete the assignment? If the assignment is a written question, do you need to fill out the questions on a separate piece of paper?

Preliminary Preparation (Search and retrieval of items needed to do the task) – Take out the appropriate math book and jot down the problems that need to be completed. – Ask for help in locating any other items that may be needed to complete the assignment (calculator, ruler, dictionary) and put these items in a container on the homework center.

3. Implementing effective problem-solving strategies

One of the most common complaints of students during mathematics examinations, especially in school and college level, is the amount of time required by it. Most realize that spending long hours in memorizing formulas, theorems, and executing them, do not guarantee a good performance. In an examination you are required to solve a problem, sometimes in more than one way, and most often using add on concepts from different chapters. It tests your understanding of the subject. Understanding takes time. But once it is understood, it is never forgotten, can be implemented across related problems and most importantly can be reproduced in an examination. This article differentiates the understanding concept from rote learning with the help of a real life example. It also advocates the use of the understanding concept as a problem solving strategy which: a. Eliminates rote learning and hence saves time b. Makes sure that time spent in understanding is an investment for the future c. Is a definitive way for problem solving and results in a correct solution. The author is aware that the example and the strategies used are more suited to students as this article borders around the way an average mathematics student thinks about learning and problem solving. But it is just as suitable for teachers and parents. In the example cited the teacher is obviously very supportive and the parents are keen for the result. But it is essential that the method to be followed is made clear to students and teachers well. A common interview of students who get good marks in mathematics examinations reflects that they knew the method but the result was attributed to luck or hard work! The method must be learned, remembered and implemented at all stages of education right from school to college to public and competitive examinations and it is this habit of methodical thinking that can improve the quality of mathematics education in our country today.

4. Seeking help when needed

The point of homework is to reinforce what you learned in class. Seeking help when you need it is supposed to reflect the learning process. Do not be afraid to ask your teacher for help or clarification; it is better to ask a question and seem a little confused on a topic than to have done the entire assignment wrong. Teachers are generally more than willing to assist students that want to learn. Though parents can be a valuable resource, the point is for you to understand the material, not for them to do the assignment for you. If a student explains a math problem to a parent, and the parent can’t figure out how to do it, don’t be embarrassed or think less of your parent. This shows that the math being taught has changed over the years and the methods in which to solve problems could be different. A useful tool can be seeking help from peers. Many times students explain things to each other in a way that it makes more sense than just reading a book on how to do it. This way you get another student’s perspective and chances are they are more comfortable to talk to than a teacher. Caution though, if you are getting help from a peer, make sure that the material in which both of you understand is correct. You do not want to learn how to do a problem the wrong way. Lastly use tools such as the internet. There are many math forums in which people ask and answer homework questions. But remember these are tools for understanding how to do problems, it is not suggested that you just post a question and expect an answer.

5. Reviewing and double-checking your work

This is essentially the most crucial part of completing any task. Read over what you have done, checking for any errors and correcting them. The best time to do this is the next morning, your mind will be much clearer after a night’s sleep. Before you hand in the assignment, re-read it to check that all parts of the question have been answered and all relevant working out is shown. This is also a good time to ask yourself if the quality of your work represents your best efforts. This final evaluation process will not only ensure that the assignment is complete, but well done. Always remember, it is quality, not quantity, that counts in assessment. Finally, make sure to keep a library of all your past assignments, as these will help you as a future resource. Remember you should think of all homework as a potential study opportunity, which you can use to better understand maths.