How to Do Math Questions
Successfully answering math questions requires patience and determination. Many students mistakenly believe they should be able to solve a problem at first glance. This contributes to a "can't do" attitude when a solution isn't immediately obvious. To solve math problems accurately, you must not only have good computational skills, you must also have good analytical skills. The best way to develop these is to practice, using a methodical, systematic process. Although each problem may require a different set of skills, the same problem-solving strategies apply to most all types of math questions.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Calculator
- Math textbook or other math reference materials
Instructions
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1
Read the question carefully and then read it again. Your first goal is to have a clear understanding of the information given in the problem and exactly what the problem is asking you to find.
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2
Draw a sketch or diagram to help you analyze the information in the problem. If a sketch or diagram isn't applicable to the problem, make notes to help you sort out the information. Keep asking yourself, "What information do I know, and what do I need to know?"
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Look up the definition of any words in the problem that you don't understand. Also, look up any formulas you may need to solve the problem.
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Perform the computation required to get the answer to the question, using your calculator if necessary. Depending on the complexity of the problem, this step may involve writing an equation to solve, interpreting a graph or set of data, or doing some arithmetic.
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Read the question again and do as Dr. Math at MathForum.org recommends---check to see if your answer makes sense. For example, if the question asks you to find the cost of a soda and your answer is $2,342, you should suspect you've made a mistake.
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Tips & Warnings
Even if you don't think you know how to answer the math question, try something. Once you get started thinking and writing things on paper, you'll likely be able to work through to an answer.
Don't give up. If your first attempt doesn't work, try something else. Math questions aren't always easy and even the best math students often have to try several different strategies before they find the correct answer.
