How To Become A Strong Math Student

In my high school days, I had spent most of my time in coaching classes to study Number theory and other mysterious divisions of Math. My teacher was not only brilliant in Math, but also knew how to create a strong Math student. That is why I am today a good mathematician. He taught Math using a discovery method that motivated exploration and guided us to become strong math students. Further, read this article to learn and know how you can be good at Math.

Create a fun atmosphere:

For me, environment is more potent than willpower. Indeed, a good surrounding motivates you to learn more and more, instead of boring you. If you feel boring when you do sums, then go to local Math Club every Saturday. Here, you can practice Math along with your friends and other fellow students, who bring joy in your mind and consecutively, you will enjoy doing sums ever.

Define Success:

It is often helpful to define success in your mind. Success for you might be to be good at solving algebra sums, studying the multiplication table, or even perhaps, to achieve a specific score in the Math exam. Or else, success may be an enlarged self-esteem or confidence, during the math exams. Be clear on what you wish to attain, note down the results as far as possible, review and modify them whenever needed, and surely you will excel in your way to Math success.

Develop Helpful Plan:

Once you define success to achieve, put it in action with simple calculation ideas such as:

a. Draw multiplication table, and say each table orally twice.

b. Look at the patterns mentioned in the table, which make things easier to learn.

c. Use scorecards such as flash cards to learn the fundamental Math facts.

d. Try to create own flash cards.

Identify Favored Learning Style:

If you make up your mind for a particular and preferred learning manner, you would not find it difficult to learn Math at all. If you like numerous learning manners, then attempt a multi-sensory approach. This includes the following multiple approaches:

a. Using different kinds of colors to learn.

b. Using graphs, pictures, flowcharts, diagrams and other illustration tools.

c. Writing textual matter on a white panel.

d. Copying the textual matter into notebooks.

e. Orally saying what you are learning.

f. Explain to others or to yourself, what you have learned.

g. Using manipulative to pursue the kinesthetic logic.

Why are Word Problems So Important in your Life Anyway?

As a child I absolutely loved doing word problems. Even back then I loved visualizing and playing with words and numbers. Bringing together the ability to use words and math is creative and helps us in our everyday lives. It is one of those abilities that you can use for the rest of your life.

The values of word problems can be seen as the ability too visualizes are progressively developed. From a young age children are taught to play with objects, when we get older that same ability is taken to a higher level by doing word problems. It helps and assists in the general development of human beings. Teaching you, to bring things in context with one another.

Word problems teach you to accept a challenge but also to persevere and use both logic and creative ability combined. When you visualize the word problem you will be able to get to the solution quicker. Most of us enjoy a good challenge; after all, it gives spice to life doesn't it. It makes a boring day interesting and a good challenge can even revitalize all your senses.

When solving word problems you do not need difficult problem solving techniques, but you can make use common sense to solve the problem. This is especially useful in cultures where they only have basic funding and accessories. Sometimes we want to think complicated instead of logical, and most solutions lie in logical thinking.

Word problems teach children to become creative thinkers. In history we have many men and woman who fall into that category, like Shakespeare for instance. This will also teach children to become independent thinkers and they will come up with concepts and designs that are new and exciting.

Word problems are a caterpillar in order to develop a good understanding. Word problems are very valuable in teaching children to solve problems in their everyday lives. They can take their real live situations and apply the same principles to get to a solution.

Word problems give children the ability to bring together reality and math; this will equip them to do the same with real life situations. Reality can sometimes be harsh and cruel, but by applying word problem principles they get in touch with reality and start to see the world as a friendly place.

Classrooms can become alive and excited when using real objects to solve word problems. Things like coins, matches, stones, leaves and even food like nuts and raisins can be used with great success.

We live in a serious world with serious problems. There is seldom a child that is not affected by it. By making the learning experience fun, children can be children again. Word problems can be a fun activity and something to look forward too.

Graphing requires skill and by starting to implement it into the word problem they learn it playfully. Starting with simple lines, and calculations. Then once they get to the more serious kind of graph they have the basic foundation on how to do it.

When doing word problems color and difference can be brought into the equation. Playfully children are learning how to use color and combine it with numbers. New textures can be used and introduced as well.

A Word problem lays a new kind of network. It opens a new door of opportunity to kids. They are introduced to math in a new way that comes to life and entices them. They discover that math can be interesting and enjoyable at the same time.

Is There Really Such a Thing as a Negative Number?

When you were about two years old you probably learned to hold up two fingers when you were asked how old you were. Two fingers are real and in this case represented two years of time. From the very beginning of civilization numbers were meant to count real things, like the number of sheep when sheep were being sold or traded. Then zero meant none, no sheep. In today's mathematics numbers that are greater than zero are called positive numbers.

Let's think about subtraction for a minute where we "take away" a number. Pretend you want to buy some music CD's from your friend who has 8 CD's for sale. While there are 8 CD's for sale you want to buy just 6 of them. You "take away" 2 CD's and the math is 8 - 2 = 6. Another way to look at your CD trading transaction is -2 or negative 2. Is the negative number real? Your friend who was selling CD's still has 2 CD's so it's okay to decide that the negative number is real.

The idea of negative numbers has been around for a long time. The ancient Chinese people used negative numbers in the marketplace. In fact they used red counting rods for positive numbers and black counting rods for negative numbers. It wasn't until centuries later, in the 16th century, that mathematicians outside of China started using negative numbers.

Are you familiar with the term sea level? The location of sea level is determined by scientists. Picture yourself standing on a high cliff looking out over the ocean and feeling the nice ocean breezes. How far is it down to the water? If it's 30 feet to the water you are 30 feet above sea level. But the exact science of sea level is a bit more complicated than this simple example.

The tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is 29,035 feet above sea level. Flat areas in the middle of the United States sometimes are only 600 feet above sea level! The lowest point in the United States is Death Valley which is located in both California and Nevada. Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level or -282 feet in relation to sea level.

Based on the examples of selling CD's and sea level, you know that negative integers make sense. But does it make sense to have a negative decimal number like -17.56? It certainly does!

Negative numbers are used a lot in banking and finance. It's easy to think of positive numbers as plus or addition and negative numbers as minus or subtraction. Do your parents use an ATM machine? Money doesn't flow from an ATM machine by magic, does it? Your parents deposit money in the bank and when they withdraw money from the bank at the ATM machine, the amount is subtracted from their account. Basically any withdrawal from a bank account is a negative number. Since dollars and cents are shown as decimal numbers, it's easy to see that negative decimal numbers make sense.

In fact, all electronic banking transactions are based upon the idea of positive and negative numbers. Banks really don't transfer actual dollar bills very often. Banks send computer messages to each other that credit an account with a positive number or debit an account with a negative number. But when banks or other financial companies prepare printed statements, they use the opposite color scheme from the ancient Chinese. Today black is used for positive numbers and red is used for negative numbers.

So, negative numbers are extremely important in you and your family's everyday life. Now you know that negative numbers exist for sure.

Tips for Reinforcing Good Problem Solving Skills

A big part of the job as an educator is to discover effective ways to help children make it through the difficult times of their academic lives. Students must have the ability to problem solve effectively is very important in helping them learn self-respect and self-esteem, overcome feelings of helplessness, and promote a generalized sense of capability. Equipping students with the right problem solving skills will promote resiliency and solution-focused problem solving shifts away from emphasizing problems and toward helping students discover the considerable power and possibilities they have in themselves.

The solution-focused problem-solving perspective emphasizes that children can become stuck by focusing on their past and current "bad" behavior and failures versus focusing on future solutions. It is important that educators will increase student performance by removing obstacles to student learning. Children accomplish more when they concentrate on their successes and strengths rather than their failures and deficits. There are so many advantages for students who know how to constructively problem solve. Students should be looked at as being good and capable of rational thought but without any influence from teachers or significant adults a student will likely focus more on their own negative side.

Once educators begin to shift to the positives of the good things that are going on in a student's life, the student's usually will switch to that, open up and talk about it too. Students do have the capacity to act on common sense if given the opportunity to identify common sense problem-solving strategies. Solution-focused problem solving is based on the theory that small changes in behavior lead to bigger changes in behavior. Solution-focused problem solving emphasizes a role shift for students. Small shifts in role by a student will cause shifts in other places. The best advice that can be given to an educator in regards to teaching problem solving skills to a student is to develop an alliance with the student and work together to determine the problem and the cause. Identify the student's strength, everyone has at least one, and then they can build strengths and foundations which will lead to positive changes. When the plan does not seem to be working and the student seems to be repeating the same pattern or does not have the ability to control compulsive behaviors then the educator has to watch for a pattern and reinforce with positive.

Solution-focused problem solving pursues the positive and students are more likely to find a solution to a problem when they concentrate on their successes rather than their failures. Students must realize that they play a huge part in the success of their problem solving process and that change will occur. Once the changes begin to happen then the student will realize that their lives can be very different. Then it is time to have the students set goals and then monitor their progress. Good problem solvers use a variety of processes and strategies as they read and represent the problem before they make a plan to solve it. They then use comprehension strategies to translate the linguistic and numerical information in the problem and come up with a solution. For example, good problem solvers may read the problem more than once and may reread parts of the problem as they progress and think through the problem. They identify the important information and even underline parts of the problem.

A systematic, research-based problem-solving program makes problem solving easy to teach. Students are provided with the processes and strategies that make problem solving easy to learn, and they become successful and efficient problem solvers. They also gain a better attitude toward problem solving when they are successful and develop the confidence to persevere.

10 Tips for New Math Teachers

Starting out as a new teacher can be intimidating and even frightening. Some basic tips may help to eliminate the stress and anxiety from teaching a class of children. Students will give their trust easily if they like you.

Don't be too serious

Every new thing is kind of scary, so when you have to stand up and teach math it can be a little intimidating at first. Try not to frown or look to serious. It will discourage the students and they will be afraid of you. Humor can built a bridge that can make amends later on it the year. Remember that a good laugh is like medicine for the body.

Use discipline

There will be no teaching without controlling of your class. It is better to fall behind by a day or two early in the year to address discipline, than to have an uphill battle all year long over behavior. Let students know from the beginning what is acceptable behavior and what is not. This way they won't take chances.

Involve the students

Encourage the students to work in groups. In this way they can have a study partner and feel comfortable with one another and learn to trust each other. In the long run it will benefit your students if they all get along smoothly and there will be order in the classroom. Later on you can have competitions between the different groups as well.

Motivate your students

Be a motivation to your students. Identify early on what math they are struggling with and help them overcome those areas. Students are surrounded with negativity where ever they go. If you can give them a place to feel safe and comfortable they will give back to you a solid return by doing their best.

Make it interesting

Use every day examples to draw and hold their attention. Math can get very boring when the same patterns are followed every time. Be open to creativity and use basic things that aren't costly. Students can bring junk materials from home to use in their projects.

Prioritize

Get your priorities straight right in the beginning. A good diary can only be an investment and remember that you don't have to do everything just to accommodate others. If your schedule allows it, you can take on extra curricular activities.

Rest when possible

Teaching is hard work. Make time for yourself. If you are stressed out you cannot give your best. Take vacation time to sleep, eat and maybe read a good book once in a while. When you are rested you will benefit your students.

Be prepared

Preparation is of the essence. Take time every day to prepare for the following days lessons. This will pay tremendous rewards as you can then give your full attention to the subject at hand. Don't leave things and hope it will work out. Be prepared for all situations.

Organizational skills

Organizational skills are like a lifeline. Pack away stuff, clear desks, and make sure that you personally take tests from students. Organizing can save you a lot of time and trouble.

Planning goes a long way

Keep students busy. When they sit around they get bored and think of mischief. Plan extra activities that they can do. Something that will be a challenge to them. Some students finish quicker than others, give them extra assignments, perhaps let them read an article about math and set up a reward system for every 10 articles they read. This way they will be kept busy and won't bother each other.

What do graphs do for us in the business world?

Graphs sometimes do not always get the credit they deserve in the business world. Often, they are joked about as being silly visual aids. In reality, they provide great value. Graphics are typically used to better represent a set of results or patterns and help improve the presentation of a study. Serving as illustrative visuals they can improve cognitive reasoning and enhance the scope of how an evaluation has turned out. The concept of data visualization is a great tool that can help assess business performance. In the area of business management graphical analysis is essential in presenting crucial information and in taking appropriate remedial action. Reporting and tracking the market targets of companies is best managed by creating graphs and charts to visualize data and comprehend statistics.

You may ask how a mere diagram can achieve this goal, but you will be surprised by how powerful a visual pattern is in understanding financial reports that mere numbers and figures. Graphs logically represent information along several dimensions based on how one wishes to show the available statistics. The primary purpose of graphs is to show relationships among variables and this may include, in a business world, anything from profit and loss related information to sales and marketing figures. The common types of graphs are line and bar graphs, pie charts, scatter plots and bar diagrams. In general charts represent one type of information, for example, you may show the percentage of profits from various states in the country. Graphs on the other hand show one set of variables represented in a continuous flow against another variable entity, for instance, the annual sales numbers of the past 10 years or something similar. The increasing ease with which graphs can now be created as well as the scope of attractive visuals has created an impact in the business arena.

It is interesting to note that graphs can conceal or reveal information as is desired and will depend on the type of graph chosen and the level of detail structured. For instance, the pie chart might give a picture of relative quantities of each division, but if a precise numerical figure or percentage share is required it might be better to go in for a tabular format than a graph. Thus understanding the purpose of presenting the information is critical to selecting the right type of graphical display. Consider a simple line diagram to represent the pattern of goods sold over a period of time. A graph such as this very effectively reveals the pattern of sales, and can also be used to compare the values for several manufacturers.

So how does this help make the business better you wonder? It's a fairly straightforward approach really. If one were to view the individual sales values of a company over the years, assuming there has been a steady climb in sales, then one is likely to conclude that the company is marketing its products right. Now that is pretty basic. But a comparison of corresponding data from companies within the same industry may show a marked difference, which means your business is not doing as well as you anticipated! Although you may be able to infer this little piece of information by studying pages and pages of company reports, the ease with which a single graph can tell the whole story is undeniable. So now you know not only where your company stands but you will also be able to measure and set future targets for the next year.

The process of effective graphical construction begins with a simple analysis of the information available. Pattern detection comes in very handy to decide the right kind of visual that will best represent your data. Graph construction is an iterative process meaning that there is ample scope for trial and error to assess what works best. Given the popularity and flexibility of graphics and the importance of the patterns revealed by using images, graphs are key decision-making tools for any enterprise.

Why is it important that someone on this planet understands the geometry of a triangle?

Pity poor geometry or, for that matter, you can pity mathematics in general as people have a tendency to dismiss these subjects because they have too literally an opinion of it. They assume math is a concept that begins and ends in a classroom. Of course you have probably heard the words "Why do I need to study math when I never use it?" and one of the most maligned subcategories of learning math is learning triangle geometry. Right triangles. Obtuse triangles. Dissecting triangles. When do you ever use this stuff? Well, you use it all the time but often don't notice it and when you develop a deeper understanding of triangles a tremendous wealth of information opens to you.

In fact, the depth of the value of triangle often extends to areas most people would never even dream of. For example, did you know that triangles form the basis of a number of martial arts? Ok, that statement probably got your attention so let's explain it. In the Indonesian martial art of Silat (Silat means fighting) the art is based around impacting an opponent of the weakness of the triangular base the body uses to stand. When you disrupt the triangle at a weak point, it becomes difficult to stand up! So, this is an entire martial art based around triangles and it is a lot easier on the body than breaking boards like in karate!

If the above example shows anything it would be the fact that triangles play a far greater role than most people think. This is why triangles have long since been studied by cultures and civilizations. If one looks at ancient history it becomes clear that the Ancient Egyptians and the Greeks spent a great deal of time learning the sophisticated aspects of the geometry of the triangle because it was the basis of much of their engineering and science. These ancient cultures realized that triangles possessed a great deal of value that was transferable to a number of other disciplines.

There simply is an incredibly vast amount of information that we have derived from the study of the triangle and, quite honestly, even after many thousands of years of study there is still more to learn from the study of the triangle. In fact, it is often through the study of the triangle in particular that much is revealed about the rest of the realm of geometry.

In studying the geometry of triangles a great many professional careers open to you. There are a great many careers that require a solid foundation in geometric skills and developing a high level of skill in this area will make your ability to succeed in these careers far more likely. Now, some careers are fairly obvious such as engineering but there are those careers that are not so obvious such as figure skating. Yes, if you look at it closely many movements in figure skating involve dissecting the angles of a triangle.

There really is no limit to the information and applications found within understanding a triangle. This is why a clear understanding of the basic concepts is critical. No, you do not have to take a college level course in geometry in order to be a figure skater and you wouldn't need a high level of geometric skill to perform a number of skills based on principles found in the geometry of a triangle. However, if you have an understanding of the basic concepts of triangle you will have a much clearer understanding of those principles than someone who lacks an understanding of the concepts.

Why Is Math the Only True Universal Language?

There are thousands of languages in the world today. Yes, thousands! Besides English, you might already speak Spanish and you know that different countries speak their own languages. But within a country, there can still be tribes in remote areas that speak a language of their own. These people need a translator who knows both languages in order to communicate with the world outside their village.

We have no idea how many languages have been spoken in the history of civilization. Archaeologists continue to find artifacts of lost civilizations from thousands of years ago. Consider Egyptian hieroglyphics where the Egyptians used pictures instead of letters as their written language. Archaeologists are still trying to decipher what these pictures mean.

The Romans left us writings in their language, which is Latin. One interesting fact about Latin is that no one really knows how to pronounce the words like the Romans did. People today agree upon how we should pronounce the words but there aren't any Romans left to teach us how they pronounced the words themselves.

Throughout history every separate group of people have devised their own language. It's only been in recent decades that there has been so much travel around the world and people from different parts of the world are talking to each other like never before. Perhaps some day, everyone on earth will speak a common language.

But the title above claims that math is the only true universal language! How can that be? Right now you should know about two ways to represent numbers, as Roman numerals and as Arabic numbers. Plus, people in other countries use different symbols for numbers. With all these different symbols, how can math be a universal language?

Math is a universal language because the principles and foundations of math are the same everywhere around the world. Ten plus ten equals twenty if you write it as Arabic numerals 10 + 10 = 20 or Roman numerals X + X = XX. The concept of 20 items is the same no matter where you are in the world.

And, what about geometry? A circle is always a circle and its circumference is always calculated the same way no matter where you are in the world. The same holds true for any other geometric figure like triangles, squares or rectangles.

We like to visit other countries to experience new scenery, new foods and a different culture. It's fun to watch documentaries about festivals that we don't have in North America. There is a great deal of cultural diversity in the world that we can enjoy and celebrate. But math is one thing that is common to everyone.

Different countries use different units of measurement; for example, the United States and the United Kingdom use inches and feet while the rest of Europe uses metric measurements of centimeters and meters. But no matter what the units are, everyone must measure the house that they are building. Houses everywhere, whether they are square, rectangular or round, are built using the same mathematical equations.

The principles of probability are the same everywhere as well. The chance of rain in Guatemala might be greater than the chance of rain in the Sahara desert but probability works the same way. People around the world have different genetics but the probability of passing on genes to their children follows the same mathematical formulas.

It is easy to see that no matter how diverse different cultures are, math is one common language across the world. Take a few minutes to make a list of other ways that math is the universal language.

When Do You Use: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents?

Children need to understand the ways to use fractions, decimals and percents in everyday life. There is nothing to worry about as decimals, percents, and fractions, as they are just the different types to show a same value.

The general information mentioned below about fractions, decimals and percents is very helpful for young children.

Fractions:

A fraction is part of a whole. Fractions are mostly language-based rather than Math-based. For example, people usually refer to quarter of a tank of fuel or half of cup of tea, each describing fractions of a whole. Whereas, fractions used in Math make use of numbers to represent approximate proportions.

You may also use the term, one out of four and can think of one as a fraction and four as a whole. In case, you use term as four of them, then there would be no longer any fraction existing, as it will be a full digit.

Regardless of fractions being hugely language-based functions, it is still vital to know the role of Math involved in it.

Calculating Fractions:

For example, if you have a mixing bowl that has the capacity to hold two cups, and you need to blend 2/3 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of water, so will it fit in the bowl?

Primarily, while adding fractions you need to decide the units that you will be using. Thus, addition of 1/2 to 1/4 becomes a simple task and you can add another one making the fraction to 3/4. However, adding 3/4 to 2/3 is not so easy. Hence, you will have to find a common unit for both 4 and 3, if you cannot than consider any other number.

However, in this example, it is 12, which is also common to both the fractions.Now, you just need to specify both the fractions. Next, you have concentrate on twelfths, instead of thirds and quarters.

You can add eight twelfths to nine twelfths, just like 9/12 + 8/12 = 17/12.

Now, the upper digit is greater than the lower, so it is not an appropriate fraction, hence divide 12/17, which would be 5/12, and that is your required fraction that would fit into the bowl.

Decimals:

The finest way to calculate a number that is less than a whole number is through decimals. Decimals make use of a point, which describes any digit to the right of it as a fraction of a whole number. For example, the number 2.6 describes two complete units and six fractional parts.

Here, with the use of decimals, the parts may be either of ten (.6), one thousand (0.049), and one hundred (.05).

Calculating Decimals:

A decimal point provides you a point, which is common to all decimal numbers. All the four elementary functions addition, division, multiplication, and subtraction work similarly in decimals.

Percentages:

Percentage is a means to describe fractions of a whole. However, you may consider it as a rate rather than a number. For example, 20% will be always twenty parts in every hundred. Another common example is a 10% figure, ten cents in every dollars, and 10 dollars in every 100 dollars and so on.

Calculating Percentages:

It is very easy to calculate percentage without a calculator. For example, if a man gets a 4% increment in his allowance of $141.20, then what is the increased salary amount of that person?

First, consider the 4% as the four fractions in a hundred, which turns into .04 if converted in decimals. Now, multiply 0.04 x 141.20 that is 5.648, and the increased percentage in that person's allowance would be $5.65.

To conclude, students need to get familiar with the rule that a fraction is a percent, and a percent is a decimal.

10 Practical Tips for Motivating Kids to Improve Their Math Skills

Adults need to be motivated to give to the best of their ability, children are no different. This is the way we were created, to motivate and be motivated. It's like the engine driving the car. Kids are the same. Their engines need fuel, oil and water too. Motivation is the fuel to appreciation.

Play games

By making math interesting you can motivate your kids to enjoy math. Use the ability of games. Chess will teach them to plan strategies, to quickly calculate or divert. Making there minds sharp at reaction and quick response. All essentials to doing math. Even something like playing ball are teaching your child math skills and exercising their minds.

Real world exposure

What about trips to museums, history halls or even a field trip. A field trip can become a stepping stone to overcoming a confidence problem and motivate a kid to enjoy life. Self confidence goes a long way in the world of math. A playful and relaxed environment makes learning so much easier.

Long term memory

The use of arts can be irreplaceable. Drawing can motivate your kid to using math in a fun and innovate way. It will also develop long term memory. By repetition problems and solutions are embedded into their minds, and extracted when necessary, thus building a good long term memory.

Setting goals

Helping your child setting a goal to work towards will motivate them and help them to achieve their goal. Without vision a nation perishes. Even in something mundane like math, you need to set a goal and have a vision. Start with small steps. After achieving it move to a higher level. It will teach your kid to work towards something and they will feel inner satisfaction in doing and achieving their goals.

Surf the Internet

Allow your kid to surf the internet. There are so many websites and blogs available with math help and projects aimed specifically at developing and growing in math. Many of them have fun games and activities for kids to participate in.

Reward system

What about a wall where they can stick their achievements. A special place above the fireplace or mantle. Somewhere where they can see what they have done, and that you are proud of them. Children want to be appreciated and accepted for who they are. This will motivate them for doing it again and again.

Self study

Use history to entice them by taking a map or atlas and teaching them how to read maps, find location information or even have a look at distances or weather patterns to different continents. This way they are exposed to the world but also learning mathematical skills.

Music

Math can be fun. Let your child take up music lessons. For instance, guitar, piano, keyboard or even drums. They will not just acquire another skill but learn math in a way that they don't even realize. Every form of music needs some math skills.

Stories

Make use of a story program. Through the use of stories kids are learning the fundamentals of math. They are enjoying the story and math becomes something sought after. Every child enjoys a good story!

Create a space for them

Give the child a place that belongs to them, where they can go and do homework in an organized way. Most kids just lie on the bed or floor and listen to music while studying. A little corner with a desk and space to put up essentials against the wall will motivate them to study.

We Use Algebra Everyday?

We use algebra everyday? That is the million dollar question. It is usually preceded with, "Why do I have to learn this stuff, I am never going to use it?" You are far from correct. Algebra is used everyday, all the time. It is used in problem solving situations when you are trying to determine how long it will take you to get from your home to your friends house.

Let's look at an example: You live five miles from your friend's home. Your parents need to drive you, so how long does it take them to get ready? If your parents drive the short way it will take 15 minutes, if there is lots of traffic, then it will take longer. So what time do you tell your friend you will be there if you leave at 4:00 PM.

Does this sound familiar to you? Sounds like the old train problem you had school. If the train leaves the station at �..! Guess what, you are using algebra when trying to figure out how long it will take to get to your friend's house and it includes a variable "x" for traffic and time.

Let's look at another example: You and some friends are going to build a skate board half pipe. You draw a model to determine how tall and long to make it. You draw various representations of the half pipe from different angles. Then calculate how much wood you will need and what size, so it does not collapse. Then you need to calculate how much material you will need to make the surface of the half pipe smooth. With every one of your calculations you are using algebra. There are lots of variables and you have to use rational numbers to make your calculations - Algebra.

Every time you need to problem solve a situation that involves money, time, distance, perimeter of a fence or skate ramp, volume of something, comparing prices when you shop, rent something - cost versus time, other situations you are using algebra.

Algebra teaches you logical reasoning and problem solving skills when it comes to most every situation in life. You have to logically think your way through something to obtain the best results. For example: I want to jump my bike off the ramp a distance of 15 feet. You measure the height of the ramp and length of the run up distance, along with is the wind with your or against you. These are variables and rational numbers that are used in algebra. By the way you will also decide that you can or can not make the jump, logical reasoning helped make the decision.

When you play sports you have to mentally determine the angle you throw the ball to make an accurate throw. You now the approximate distance, but you have to determine how much force to apply to your throw. It also applies to soccer, when you are kicking the ball to another player or into the goal. The same mental calculations occur as you consider your options (variables and rational numbers) for making a goal. Algebra in action!

When you have limited money and want to go some where with your friends, you have to budget your money to make sure that you have enough for the whole day. Mental algebra is used to determine costs of things, options for purchasing gifts, and of course having money to eat.

Now for the boring stuff, when you finish school and start applying for jobs your possible future employer may give you a test with some math problems on it. They want to know if you can use mathematical skills to solve a problem and the problems will include algebra - problems with variables. Most employers that pay well will not hire you unless you can solve algebra type problems to prove that you have logical and reasoning problem solving skills.

Ten Tips to Become Better at Algebra

Many people have difficulties in the area of algebra mathematics. Many attempts to read books attend lessons and research the web to find information, interactive lessons and websites that could help them improve their algebra skills. Interactive learning is a lot more fun than reading algebra books but is that enough to make someone good at algebra? The concept of algebra has to be fully understood before one can have full knowledge of mathematics. Algebra is only going to become more advanced as the years of school pass and if one has not gained full knowledge of it at its most basic level, it will be impossible to venture on. You have to algebra one step at a time. If you do these steps over and over, your brain will start to adjust and you will like it. In fact, if you successfully learn a few algebra concepts then you'll want to have more. Practice is really important in algebra and you can't expect to learn everything from online courses or tutorials. You need to go through the concepts and the principles of algebra again and again in order to learn them.

Since practice makes perfect, one effective method is to use your text book and write on paper all of the concepts along with equations that represent that concept. Keep each concept on a different sheet. Take notes and write down your opinion for every equation or algebra concept. You may not like it at first, but the more you practice and use this personal algebra notebook the better for you. You must be patient because at first it might seem like you are never going to be able to figure out how all of these numbers plug into one and other, so don't rush, remember that learning algebra takes time.

There are thousands of algebra books out there that break down algebra to its easiest components. Many learning styles in these books are different so take the time to go through them and find one that looks like you might understand or one that accommodates your learning style. Many books explain some algebra concepts better than other. Choose a variety of books or online courses. You can get a live tutor. It will be much easier to learn from someone who's already familiar with the concepts of algebra. There are online communities where people discuss their algebra problems and help each other. Remember though that even if you are a member of one the many popular interactive algebra communities you still need to study and practice a lot.

One of the biggest problems is that there are so many different concepts and equations in algebra and in order to be successful you have to understand the entirety of it or you will not be able to figure out which procedure to use. You learned the order of operations years ago and that is one key tool for algebra. This tool allows you to understand which process happens first and so on. PEMDAS is a very valuable tool. If you do not understand the common basics of algebra then you will literally be lost forever when it comes to this subject. Being lost in the early stages of algebra can be disastrous because there are many years of advanced algebra just knocking on your door. Once you become more confident and your comfort level increases, you can actually strengthen it by trying to apply simple algebraic applications to everyday life. You will soon find out that algebra is not quite as difficult as you may have once thought.

Why Do We Use Symbols in Math?

Sometimes it is the little things that are the most important and you could lump mathematical symbols into this category. It is undeniable that symbols not only enhance understanding but also provide a universally perceivable manner in which to show a certain math function or illustrate a sequence. This is not a new concept. It has been around in math since ancient times. It was probably even around in one form or another during the stone age!

The fundamental need in math is to represent the relationship between a sign and the number or value it refers. Certain ideas and concepts can be clearly illustrated only by the creation and use of symbols. Measuring the relationship between numbers and representing the relationship symbolically not only serves to simplify the process but also gains a better understanding of the concept than a wordy description of the same. This is where the issue of languages comes in.

In more simple terms, a plus sign, a minus sign, a multiplication sign are all symbols. We need them for a very simple reason: we have to express what we are doing in a clear manner. When we are adding it would be ridiculous to always write out one plus on equals two when we could express this symbolically with 1 + 1 = 2. Imagine trying to perform calculus if you have to write a lengthy equation out in several paragraphs. Not only would such prose be voluminous, it would be confusing and prone to error. Plus, what language do you want to write it in? Remember, math is universal but languages are incredibly vast. Simply put, without proper symbols math becomes next to impossible. In fact, you could look at it this way: the symbols of math are reflective of a mathematical language.

Math is comprised of primarily two things: numbers and symbols. Symbols are found in simple math, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, etc. Symbols are essentially representative of a value. Decimals and fractions, for example, are symbols of parts of a whole. These symbols allow us to "work with" parts in a theoretical manner. Without symbols you simply could not perform math. Remember, much of math is abstract. How could you possibly perform simple algebra - much less calculus -without having the use of the symbol "X"? Could you even imagine trying to perform geometry without symbolic representations of triangles, squares and rectangles? It simply can not be done or if it was done it would be so laborious that it wouldn't be as efficient.

It is important to understand that the key to comprehending math is in the interpretation of the concept and not really in the nature or amount of symbols and the role they play. However to understand concepts one must essentially have a good grasp of the role and meaning of symbols and also be able to appreciate their usefulness in making math that much more simpler to understand and duplicate. The logic of signs and symbols in math is undeniable and is often stressed as a vital tool in making math a universal science.

Because symbols are so common in math we sometimes take them for granted. The reason we take them for granted is that they make math so easy to perform (actually, they make math performable period) we do not really tip our hat to their true value. That does not seem like a great way to treat the very thing that makes expressing math possible. Without various symbols you would be forced to go back to counting your fingers and toes and you don't want to do that again do you?

Did you know they used Geometry to Build Your School?

Many times in school students sit and think about doing other things and always think; what do I need to learn this for I will never use it? How wrong, for example did you know that they used geometry to build your school? The person who designed your school, the people who constructed it, and the people who decorated your school used geometry in almost every phase.

Just take a look around your school and see what geometric shapes you can see in the school building. The windows are rectangular, squares, and even in some cases round. Look at the ceiling and check out the ceiling tile in your classroom. So you think those ceiling tiles were just put up there by some worker. Not really, a geometric pattern was developed based on the design of your classroom, starting from the center of the room and moving to the walls.

The same thing goes for the tiles on the floor. A geometric pattern was developed for the floor in your classroom, which started in the center of the room and worked its way to the walls. Every room in the school used the same process of geometric designs to ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and any furniture that is attached to the walls or floor. Everything has to fit exact geometric patterns so everything can fit in the classroom, including you and your classmates.

If you were to remove the ceiling tiles you would see a network of wood or steel framing used to hold the roof up. What geometric shapes to you suppose this framing is using to hold up the roof? If you said triangles, then you are correct. Because triangles are the strongest geometric shapes for holding weight and they can also use lighter materials to hold the roof up, compared to other shapes.

If you look at where the wall and floor intersect, what is that called? If you said right angle, then you are correct. Does this still apply where the wall intersects the ceiling? It all depends on the shape of your classroom. If the ceiling is flat, then the answer is yes.

What else can you say about where the wall intersects the floor? If you said perpendicular, then you are correct. What is the geometric relationship between the ceiling and floor? If you said parallel, then you are correct if your ceiling is flat. This can be said for every room in your school, except the auditorium, which generally has a sloping floor. What shape would you same the auditorium is? If you said trapezoid, then you are correct.

See geometry is every where in your school. When the construction workers built your school, they used ladders to get up down for completing various tasks. A free standing ladder in the middle of the room, no one has to hold it up, is in what geometric shape? If you said triangular, you are correct. Again triangles are the strongest shape that can support the most weight.

In your school you have probably seen a ramp or two in hall ways. What shape are they? Think about the floor they angle up from and the wall they connect to. If you said a triangle, then you are correct. What about the tables you use in science class, what shape are they? Are they parallel to the floor or perpendicular? If you said the tops of the desks are rectangles, the table is both parallel and perpendicular to the floor then you are correct.

All of the walls, furniture, ceilings, the roof, tables, and other objects around your school have specific geometric shapes and have geometric shapes compared to other objects in your school. How do you think this happened? These were built and designed by students who were sitting in their classrooms saying to themselves, what do I need to learn this for I will never use it?

Common Shapes We See Everywhere We Go: Looking at What You See!

As you travel around during the day and night, have you ever looked at what you see? Do you see patterns, colors, shapes, and designs in man made structures and the natural world? If you have not really taken notice, then now is the time to look at the common shapes we see everywhere we go. Kind of like the old saying, "stop and smell the roses." Except now the twist is "stop and look at what you see."

For example, have you really looked at your school building? Do you see a pattern in the windows? How about a pattern in the bricks or other materials on the outside of the building? If you see patterns then describe what you see. You should see three dimensional objects, rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, and more.

How about patterns at a baseball park? Do you see a diamond? Do you see semi-circles? How about circles? Any other shapes in the field and stands? As you look you will notice common shapes everywhere in the baseball park?

Now let's look at a different place. What about when you are riding in a car going down the road? What can of shapes do you see? What is the shape of a billboard? What is the shape of the bridge you just went under? How about the shape of buildings you pass, can you describe their shapes? What about the shape of other cars and trucks you see? As you look you will see ovals, cylinders, cones, triangles, circles, rectangles, squares, trapezoids, straight lines, and many other shapes. How objects that have multiple shapes do you see?

Common shapes are everywhere we go, so let's take a look at something else. How about your home? Do you see any shapes there? How about the TV, computer, radio, stove, doors, beds, walls, lights, etc? What kind of shapes do you see?

Another place to look for common shapes is in pictures and paintings. Look at any picture of an object in your home or anywhere. What shapes to you see? Pictures are full of common shapes, especially a painting. A painter will start his/her painting using common shapes to depict objects and then finish the painting based on these common shapes. If you look closely, you will see circles, ovals, rectangles, triangles, objects perpendicular to each other, objects that are parallel to other objects, and more.

Let's look at your bicycle. What shapes do you see? Look at the wheels, the pedals, handle bars, lights, reflectors, spokes, seat, tires, chain, etc. Now describe all the shapes you see. You should be able to see circles, cylinders, rectangles, ovals, and many others. What other shapes do you see besides the ones I listed? If you do not see any, then you are not really looking at what you see!

Shapes are everywhere and it does not take long to start finding shapes as you look. How about the clouds in the sky, do you see shapes? Many people see dogs, cats, boats, and more. Trying looking at the clouds and if you can see a shape in the clouds. Then describe the shape using geometric terms - such as, ovals, circles, etc. If you look you will see them.

Here is a fun look at the food in the cafeteria. What shapes do you see in the food? Pizza comes in rectangles; green beans come in cylinders, French Fries come as three dimensional rectangles, and more. Your food is full of shapes; even less obvious shapes have circles for apple slices and wavy ovals in chips (provided they are not broken).

Learning Measurements by using your Kitchen

If you want to learn or teach measurements, the best place to do so is in the kitchen. Almost everything that is done in the kitchen is based on measurements. If a child wants to perform the simplest task such as making some Kool-Aid, measuring is involved as they will have to measure one cup of sugar for 2 quarts of Kool-Aid. If a parent were to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies with their child just think of the possibilities there. Measurements in a simple batch of cookies include cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons and just imagine the possibilities if you were to double that recipe.

Learning measurements in the kitchen can begin at a very early age and as the child grows, so can the learning. There really is no better place to teach measurements although teachers do bring these lessons into the classroom somehow they are not as effective as they are in the kitchen with hands on experience. Plus all kids just love to cook in the kitchen. Even preschoolers can help you bake a cake or prepare a simple dinner. Here is when you would want to explain to the child what tools are used to measure wet and dry ingredients. Show them what a cup of liquid looks like and then a cup of flour or sugar. Show them and then test them on which is bigger, a teaspoon or a tablespoon. Let them practice with water until they get it right. Let them play with dry ingredients such as flour but if you aren't so daring then let them play with the measuring devices in the sand where the mess doesn't count.

Weight is another measurement and this can be introduced early at the grocery store by weighing produce or buying deli meats. In the produce sections they have those scales and kids are fascinated by them. Let your child weigh some fruit and explain how many apples are in one pound, etc. This type of activity is preparing them for later work in the kitchen. Understanding all of the concepts involved with measurement can be difficult for a child first starting out. Most kids love the kitchen, which is a great place to begin the adventure of measurement. Once your child knows the difference between a cup and a tablespoon, start teaching them what you know about conversions and equivalents. Give lots of praise and encouragement along the way and when they're enjoying their first meal, remind them that they're the ones who made it and that measurement was the key.

Before you start to teach measurements to your child, discuss the process. Set some reasonable goals together and designate rewards for various levels of progress and understanding. This will create motivation for your child to learn measurements. Since you will be working in the kitchen, rewards can be easy to create. Set a weekly ritual of cooking something delicious together. Your child will learn their measurements and the whole family will get a nice meal in the bargain.

Here are a few of the easy math lessons that can be taught using your time in the kitchen. Once the child is a bit older then you can get to conversions in measuring. Even if you don't know all of the conversions between units of measurements, simply using the tools will help your children become familiar with the amounts that each measurement can hold. Show them the ones you do know: how two half cups equal 1 whole cup; four � cups equal 1 whole cup and so on. You may come across something that even you do not know in which case you should show the child how to be resourceful and find the answer.

Cooking can be a great way to explain to children how an algebraic equation works. Teach then the basic knowledge that cooking and baking requires following a specific formula which is just like algebra and if the formula is not followed precisely then you will come up with something different than you originally wanted.

10 Study Tips for Math Class

Math class can be an enjoyable journey if you are willing to put in a little effort beforehand. Planning goes a long way.

Do homework daily

Doing homework on a daily basis is essential to succeeding in math class. Take notes in class and use them daily. If you do your homework regularly you won't fall behind when a problem occurs and it will be easier to study for a test. Make a file where you can keep all your notes handy for future reference.

Don't be afraid to ask help

Don't be afraid or to proud to ask for help. Your teacher will gladly help you and it will give you the tools to conquer the problem. Sometimes it is easier to understand something if someone else just shows you how, instead of battling endlessly yourself. It will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Use the handbook

The examples and notes in the book will shed some light to the situation you need help with. Think logical. Don't over complicate problems. Logical thinking will help you establish a basic way of solving problems.

Do sample tests

Take time to do sample tests. This way you can identify problem areas quickly and eliminate them before its time for the real test. Retest yourself regularly. This way you will be able to establish your weak points.

Form a study group

Form a study group that can meet at least once a week where you can discuss problems or any difficulties and help each other. Compare answers with one another. See the different way people can get a solution to a problem.

Tackle problems head on

Work through problem areas more than once until you start to understand them. It is a better solution to know how the problem area works than to just memorizing the solution. Don't leave problem areas until it's too late and you don't have the time to spend on those areas.

Good timekeeping techniques

Be diligent in your timekeeping. Don't allow other things to distract you. Take at least an hour daily to spend on your math. In the long run this will be dividends well paid. If you tire easily try to drink some coffee or substance high in caffeine. It is a natural stimulant and a short term solution. Be diligent in going to class. Missing one day can cost you a lot of marks in your test paper.

Relaxation techniques

When you feel all flustered or fear grips your heart, try to relax. Inhale deeply and as you let your breath go out just calm your mind. When you are stressed by a problem you will not be able to focus or concentrate. It will also help you to be more confident if you are in control of the situation, instead of the situation controlling you.

Take your time until you understand a problem

Don't rush through problems. Take your time and make sure you understand it. What you don't understand today will become a problem tomorrow. Math is like building a wall. If you miss one brick you will have a hole looking back at you. The wall will be built but there will be a draft.

Practice makes perfect

Math is something you need to practice. Repetition is what will give you the skill to overcome any problem. If you have a math lab available make use of it. It could give you that extra 10% you need to achieve a mark. Remember that repetition is the key to success in math.

Why Your Success In Math Will Follow You Everyday Of Your Life

When we are in school we lay the foundation for our future. We learn a variety of skills that may not appear important at the time we learn then but later on in life we discover that there really are much more important than we thought. For example, when we learn math we develop a multitude of skills that often carry over into life but often never notice. The reason we never notice it is because by developing solid math skills in school we become so good at math we do not even realize we are using it! If you don't believe this is true let's look at some common uses of math.

One of the most important things in life is to keeping yourself out of debt and to manage a budget. If not, your expenses will exceed your savings and this will dramatically impact the way in which you live your life. Often, people will seriously cause a lot of damage to their budget through reckless spending. Now, while reckless spending can refer to buying expensive items it can also occur in spending.

Let's say you are offered a job. The salary sounds quite fine and you accept it. However, you start noticing that you are accruing debt and not earning anything. What went wrong? Well, look at the distance from where you live and where you work. Then, look at the cost of gasoline. If gasoline is $3 a gallon and your car only gets 15 miles to a gallon and your drive to work is 30 miles to work and 30 miles home you will need to spend $12 a day or $60 a week to work. If this expense worth it or would taking public transportation that only costs $20 a week the better option. This is, of course, using math in your daily life and it is clear that developing a skill in math can greatly help you out.

Also important to life is eating. Now, can you imagine cooking without understanding math? This may seem like a stretch, but it is far more common than you think. Can you bake a roast beef in the oven at 500 degrees and for 6 hours? Sure you can, but the end result will be burnt to a crisp and probably the size of an apple! Obviously selecting the degrees and the duration is based on an understanding of mathematical principles. Now, you could bake a cake in at the right temperature but if your measurements are off because you lack an understanding of measurement then the cake will be a disaster.

Even leisure pursuits involve math. If you were to play a board game you need a basic understating of probability such as the odds of taking a trip on the Redding Railroad or even simply understand the numerical amount the dots on a pair of dice represent. Yes, it pretty difficult to avoid math even if you really tried!

This is why it becomes important to develop sharp skills in the area of match because the commonality of having to use math is - along with reading comprehension skills - one of the most important educational skills to possess. While the daily use of math may seem removed from the common way math is learned in school the only difference is really the structure. In a formal education, there is less randomness and unexpectedness. This allows one to concentrate on learning important math skills without distraction so as to deal with the various distractions you will come into when you work out math in your head on a daily basis.

10 Awesome Jobs that Require Great Math Skills

Math is more than just a way of adding and subtracting. It is a complex discipline that provides the base foundation for a number of professional careers. So, it goes without saying that there are a number of awesome jobs out there that can provide a home for someone with incredible math skills.

While there are many categories of engineer (electrical, civil, computer, mechanical, etc) all engineering jobs require solid skills in math. Also, there are very few things in this world that can be created without the help of a skilled engineer. Whether you are crossing a bridge or flying around the solar system in a space ship an engineer is the person who makes these things possible. As such, an entire adventurous world is open to someone who picks a career in the engineering field and this can only be achieved by someone with great math skills.

The word photogrammetrist is a tongue twister but if it sounds suspiciously like a photographer that is because it is a cousin to professional photography. The difference is that this deals with working with images from aerial, land based and even satellite based imaging systems. This is truly the cutting edge of photographic work and it is based on signed skills in mathematics.

Where would we be without computers and, for that matter, where would computers be without the help of computer scientists? One of the lesser known skills of computer science is math aptitude as mathematical principles are the underlying force that creates computer applications. So, math and computer skills go hand in hand.

There is much in the news these days regarding climate change and that has sparked a lot of interest in a career or field related to it. For those with solid math skills, an environmental mathematician may prove to be one of the more interesting scientific positions.

Since we already had made mention of engineers why would we give a robotics engineer a separate mention? If you have ever seen a science fiction movie then you know the answer. It's because using your math skills to study and create robots is mega cool! Surely you have seen the movie I ROBOT? Ok, maybe it is not THAT exciting of a career but it certainly is one filled with wonder and perfect for those with a creative mind.

While some may assume that the duties of a statistician are dull such an assumption is not based on any actual reality as the collection, analyzing and presentation of data derived from experiments can be an interesting profession.

Here is a tongue twister: geophysical mathematician and it is a very important job. Without sources of energy our whole world is in a lot of trouble and this profession uses math skills to help successfully explore for oil and natural gas. Clearly, many people rely on these mathematicians for energy needs.

Ok, in the "don't let the title fool you" department the profession of an economist has the potential to be a very exciting one. Yes, they appear a little dry on all those cable TV business programs but being at the center of the analyzing of the economy of a company, an industry or even an entire nation can prove to be quite a stimulating job.

Another tongue twister is operations research analyst and it is another critical job because its purpose is discovering how to run a company or industry in a cost effective and better organized matter. Consider it a sort of mathematical advisor because, in a nutshell, that is what it is.

And saving the most important for last, one of the coolest jobs for those interested in a career in math is that of a math teacher. Not only do you get to share your knowledge with others, but you also get to craft the next generation of mathematical superstars. Not a bad gig, eh?

The Math Used in Professional Baseball: More than a Game

It is baseball season again and statistics are flying; how math is used in professional baseball to determine all those number that appear after a player's name. Baseball is more than a game it is game of mathematical numbers used to try and determine how players respond in certain situations. For example a batter's hitting percentage is .344 and a pitcher has an earned run average of 5.13.

So lets take a look at the a batter's hitting percentage. The percentage .344 is based on the number of hits - 55, divided by the number of times at bat - 160. So what does .344 mean to the baseball world? A .344 is very good, because it means that a batter will typically get a hit 1 out of 3 times at bat. Batters with this kind of batting percentage are typically the lead off hitter in a line up.

Teams keep all kinds of statistics on batters, such as: number of times at bat - AB, number of runs scored - R, number of hits - H, number of runs batted in - BI, number of walks - W, number of strike outs - K, and batting average - AVG. These are all used to determine the quality of a batter to be able to hit and score runs.

Math statistics are also kept on the number homeruns divided by the number times at bat; the average times a batter will get a hit in specific situations for example, with 2 outs; how many times a batter will hit to a certain part of the field, for example left field; and how many time a batter gets a hit against specific pitchers. Professional baseball players are analyzed using lots of math to develop a statistical picture of the player as batter.

Let's take a look at the pitcher with an earned run average (ERA) of 5.13. The number is determined by taking the number of earned runs - 4, dividing it by the number of innings pitched - 7, and then multiplying that number by 9. So what does the 5.13 mean for a pitcher? It means he is not a highly recruited pitcher in professional baseball; he gives up too many hits that lead to runs. The pitcher is prone to giving up lots of runs and not winning many games. The lower the earned run average the better the pitcher. Now you may be asking what earned runs are; they are runs scored not the result of any errors by the pitcher's team.

What is some other math numbers used to determine the quality of a pitcher, such as: number of innings pitcher - IP, number of hits given up - H, the number of runs given up - R, the number of walks given up - BB, the number of earned runs given up - ER, and the number of strike outs - SO. These are used to statistically develop an overall view of the pitchers.

Other math numbers include the number of times the pitcher strikes out or gives up hits to certain batters. Along with the number of complete games pitched, pitched all nine innings. And then the coveted number of perfect games pitched; which means the pitcher gave up no walks, no hits, no errors, and no runs were scored by the opposing team.

Then there is the entire math related to the actual dimensions of the professional baseball field. The distance to from one base to another is 90 feet, the pitchers mound is 60 feet from home plate, and the distance from home plate to left field is 342 feet, for example. The number of baseballs used in the average baseball game is about 60, due to foul balls into the stands and homeruns.

Math is used everywhere in professional baseball.