"Mathematics is only the art of saying the same thing in different words." -Bertrand Russell
Are you starting to find the subject mathematics to be complicated? Did you start to realise that maths is related to almost every other subject in high school? Do you wish that you paid more attention to mathematics in the foundation phase?
There is mention made of, "Pi," in mathematics but maths surely is no piece of pie. In order to make mathematics seem like a bit of a walk in the park, you need to take the foundational mathematics that you learn in the foundation and intermediate phase very seriously. If you are able to grasp the basics of mathematics, furthering your knowledge in the subject won't be impossible at all.
Like it or not, whether you pursue Singapore mathematics or whether you choose to learn mathematics according to the South African CAPS curriculum, mathematics is a universal language.
If you are struggling to grasp the mathematics language, lets see if we can help you break down complex mathematical topics into more understandable concepts and ideas. Take this mathematical journey with us so that you too can acquire the basics of mathematics and start finding the subject to be as easy as pie.
Maths Basics: Fractions
"There is a fine line between numerator and denominator. Only a fraction of people will get the joke." Anonymous
If you, like us, enjoy a fair amount of mathematical jokes, you will start to see the subject as being lighter and far less burdensome. Whether you find fractions difficult to understand or not, you have to start wrapping your head around fractions as all types of numbers in maths are crucial.
When you start to see fractions as they are used in the real world, you will start to understand these types of weird-looking numbers better. In fact, when you are introduced to fractions, it is important to be introduced to fractions as they are used in:
- Recipes to measure items such as flour, salt, baking powder, etc.
- The telling of time
It is hard to imagine a world in which fractions do not exist. It would be impossible to share a piece of pizza with two other friends if there was no such thing as fractions. It would also be impossible to tell time if we couldn't use terms like, "half past," or "quarter to."
Fractions was derived from the Latin word, "Fractio," which means a break. If we go back in time, we can say that the use of fractions originated in Ancient Egypt since Egyptians from the past were found using fractions in early number systems.
Fractions and decimal numbers are concepts often learnt side by side. If you look at the annual teaching plan for mathematics for the intermediate phase, you will see that fractions and decimals are mentioned together and tends to be studied together too. Decimal numbers refer to a system representing non-integer numbers. It was actually a Flemish mathematician called Simon Stevin who standardized the use of the decimal system.
Once you start learning the importance of using fractions , you will start to pay attention to terms like:
- Proper fractions,
- Improper fractions,
- Mixed numbers
When you tackle fractions, you must know the difference between the numerator and the denominator. You need to begin by:
- Looking at all the parts: Look at the fraction itself and try to comprehend the terms numerator and denominator. You need to distinguish between proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers simply by considering the numerator in relation to the denominator.
- Visualise the fraction: if you are having a hard time comprehending the fraction. Try to make sense of it by thinking of the fraction beyond being an abstract idea. You may have to use concrete ideas of sharing in order to understand the fraction better.
While fractions are part and parcel of your maths learning journey, you need to explore other mathematical concepts too.
Basics in Mathematics: Integers
If you are struggling with whole numbers, you may be in need of additional help to assist you with grasping mathematical concepts.
You can reach out for online tutors here on Superprof. You can even resort to relying on online resources to assist you to understand integers. Have you heard about BODMAS?
When you are dealing with expressions that may require you to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, all at once, you need to know what order to follow to simplify the expression.
BODMAS stands for brackets, orders, division, multiplication, addition, subtraction and tells us in what order we need to go about solving an expression containing integers.
Fundamentals of Mathematics: Addition & Subtraction
Don't ever underestimate the value of knowing how to add and subtract well. While you may have placed all your focus on learning multiplication and division, you may have forgotten how important it is to revisit simple addition and subtraction sums.
In fact, you can ensure that you never get an addition or subtraction sum wrong ever again if you ensure that you use inverse operations to check your answers. You can use addition to check your answer to a subtraction sum and subtraction to check your answer to an addition sum.
Part of the reason why you are taught so many methods of addition and subtraction from a young age is simply because if you know the different methods like column method or break down method, you can choose the method of addition or subtraction that you are better at doing.
If you join a mathematical program like Kumon, you will note that much emphasis is placed on adding and subtracting quickly but accurately.
You should give yourself addition and subtraction worksheets to try while timing yourself as you are doing these worksheets. The faster that you get at solving addition and subtraction sums accurately the better.
Joining maths extra classes near me provide an extensive curriculum designed to boost your analytical skills and solidify your grasp of mathematical principles. This course presents an excellent chance to deepen your knowledge and sharpen your problem-solving abilities, which are crucial across various disciplines.
Time Table Chart
Do you know your timetables? You need to be able to state your timetables off by heart by the time that you reach intermediate phase. The better you know your timetables, the easier it will be to solve problems that test your knowledge of timetables. Knowing your timetables will:
- Set a solid base for you to grasp future mathematical concepts
- Build your confidence in the subject
- Make mental maths easier to tackle
You can learn multiplication by using the multiplication chart. The first chart of multiplication to come about dated back to 4000 years ago and was the handy work of the Babylonians. The first "official" multiplication table with a base of ten, such as the one commonly used today, was founded by the Chinese and written onto bamboo strips.
If you know that you are struggling with your timetables, you need to find ways to make solving problems that entail multiplication far more easier.
- Learn both the "bow" multiplication method and FOIL: Math teaches you many ways to solve a sum. Try to use a method that seems easiest for you grasp. If you are asked to use the "bow" method or invisible 0 method in an exam, you can always solve the problem using FOIL as well in order to check your answer.
- Solve slowly: There is no need to rush to solve a problem. This is what all students need to be taught. You are allowed to take some time to solve a problem.
- Incorporate technology and games: Make the learning process fun by incorporating games into your study routine. Online multiplication games will make you faster and more accurate at solving multiplication sums.
If you are still finding it difficult to grasp timetables, reach out to one of our Superprof maths tutors.
Basic Operations of Mathematics
Basic operations of mathematics include: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. From these basic operations, we have tackled addition, subtraction, and multiplication. One of the hardest mathematics operation for most is division.
If you have more than 3 friends, perhaps you need to know how to divide a box of SMARTIES between them.
The idea of dividing objects into equal parts has been around for centuries, and as time progressed more and more methods on how to divide got introduced to school children.
While dividing a bigger number by a smaller number may give you a few grey hairs, there is an important reason why we need to know how to divide. Aside from sharing food equally with others, we also need to master division in order to budget better.
When trying to master division, ensure that you find easier ways to familiarize yourself with how to divide:
- Revisit your timetables before you learn how to divide
- Start by dividing the first digit. Work from the left to the right.
- If the divisor is a larger number than the number you are dividing by, try seeing how many times the divisor can go into the first two numbers
- Take your time to check your answer when dividing
- Use online division programs to assist
If a child just cannot seem to solve division problems, you do need to consider hiring a private tutor to help make the complex division topic far more manageable.
The Trick to Improving in Mathematics
If you search online, there are many apps available that may teach you mathematics in fun ways. While you may need to pay for some maths app, many are available for free.
Revision of concepts learnt is possibly the best trick to grasp mathematical concepts. Don't be afraid to play around with numbers. Feel free to ask your maths teacher some math-related questions. Ask your teacher to go over a concept that you never grasped.
Study with friends. Going through past papers and textbook exercises with friends may also be a great way to learn concepts that you do not understand.
Visit one mathematical concept using as many textbooks as you can. If you seem to be struggling to solve mathematical problems on your own, reach out and find a qualified maths tutor online on Superprof to help you with the subject.
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