Fear Over Maths

Maths is one of the crucial and necessary subject we have to learn in school. Everyone has to go through it.

Some like it, while some fear it. Have you wonder why?

Actually this fear is not only towards maths. The underlying reasons applies to anything we do.
It could be literature, Chinese language, dancing, or even driving and riding a bicycle.

What we have to do to reduce maths anxiety is to know why the fear occurs.

One of the issue links to the confidence level. This affects the comfort level. With things we are not comfortable, we tend to avoid. Avoiding make us do less of the subject.

We thus lack practices.

Learning maths involves 2 parts, namely:-
1) Procedural skills, and
2) Conceptual understanding.

Different stages / levels in the learning journey entails different focus of these 2 stages.

To have a better understanding, you may go to this maths site to read more.
It is rather enlightening.

Learning anything needs a plan. (Procedure ==> Conceptual ==> Application)
If fear is the barrier, and causes obtrusion to learning, seek out why.
We grow as a result of this process.

Maths is one target in life that we can use to challenge yourself, besides the tools and techniques picked up to solve mathematical problems.
It involves character development as well, if you border to analyse the learning process.

Finally, to motive any maths learners,

just know that "Maths Is Interesting!".

You will then like maths, and anything you set forth to master.

Cheers!   :-D.

Caution on Mixed Number

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Fractions are a necessary part of maths.
They come in many forms; improper, proper and mixed number.


Though improper and proper forms are direct in its presentation and interpretation, mixed number form may pose a potential mistake for young learners.

Example:
   
Is this 2 + (3/4) or 2 x (3/4) ?

Caution has to be taken to stress it as 2 + (3/4).

Some students have taken it to mean 2 pieces of (3/4) !
Dangerous isn't it.

But rest assure.
If you understand the language of maths and its "grammar", all will be well and interesting.

:-)

Tips On Using Substitution

Maths entails the usage of our brain juice in solving problems. It is a good platform for stretching our imagination and creativity by using simple concepts learned to handle seemingly complex maths questions.

Let's look at a "complex" simultaneous equations maths problem, and its way of solving (suggested).

Question:

  ---- (A)

--- (B)

Solve for y and x.

How do you go about it?

Look scary, right?

But like what I said, looks can be deceiving. Use the brain to go around the issue!

Tips: The structure of the simultaneous equations looks similar to the conventional type.
(Conventional type:-
Ax + By = nn
Cx + Dy = kk      )

So what we have to do can be to simply substitute  by m, and  by h (or any variable name).

What we thus convert to is:
  ---- (A)

 --- (B)

Will this simultaneous equations be more comfortable to solve?

Hence, a simple twist to the former mathematical questions can result in a totally familiar situations where we have solve many a times.

Thus, the technique and usefulness of substitution cannot be under-estimated.

It can be powerful at times to reveal a beautiful mathematical expression for user to resolve.

Maths Is Interesting!

Treasure our brain and our thinking. 

:-)

Zippy Graphical Maths

Trigonometry is a fun topic in maths.

It generates curves more than many other topics.

By combining various trigonometrical functions, you can get interesting patterns on a graph.

Putting these functions on an algebraic expression produces even exciting diagram.

Below is one I created and an array of zips appears.

Enjoy maths.
maths is interesting!

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Math Challenge 24

Math does not purely involve writing mathematical expression .
Sometime what you need is some logically deduction base on, of course, some mathematical principles.

Below is one good example of "deduction" type of math solving.

Let start the challenge, and have some fun!

Above you will find 3 squares.

Do note that the 2 yellows are of the same area and 1 blue of area bigger than the yellow ones.

If the total area of the 3 squares are 57 sq cm, determine the area of the bigger blue square.

I believe you will enjoy this math question.

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Using Units to Deduce Maths Formula

There are times when we cannot remember some simple formula for a maths application.

Or we have doubts to the some maths working  especially when many parameters got involved.

I ave a simple tip.

Look at the units for the numerical item.

Example:

To calculate distance travelled by a vehicle, given the speed it goes  and time taken,

we look at the speed's units.

Unit:  m / s

What does it tell?

Yes, it gave an indirect answer that speed = distance / time.

Thus if time is given, we are able to know that we just need to multiple speed by time in order to retain only the distance.

(m / s) x s  =  m (only)  ==> Distance

The above allow us to use units to deduce the working (and formula).

Hence, we should not overlook the power of knowing units.

It is simply disappointing to sometimes see people missing out on writing the units for certain parameters. Maths loses its value simply by ignoring this step.

Therefore treasure this little but powerful "units".

:-)
Maths is interesting!

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