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Tips on studying for Maths

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  • 05-04-2014 5:19pm
    #1
    showsaf
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭


    Maths is definitly my weakest subject, largely due to the fact that I can't sort out an effective study method for it. I failed it last year which is why I am repeating, but just wondering is any advice on tackling the subject since it's not as straight forward as memorizing, like other subjects.


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    #2
    magicianz
    Registered Users Posts: 1,115 ✭✭✭magicianz


    Do questions. I'm studying engineering and my method hasn't changed since pre-Junior Cert. DO QUESTIONS.

    Look at the process your going through in each question. While you can't memorized content in maths, you can memorize method and you can memorize formulas!
    Got a trig question? Well, what have they given me? Okay, I'll write that all down on the sheet.

    Now, what am I looking for? Okay, I'll write that down on the sheet too.

    Now, what equations do I know that could sort this mess out? Let me just write a few equations that come to my mind down

    ....ah! Yes! There we go, that equation has only 1 unknown in it and I can solve it now!

    (or alternatively..) Oh, there are no equations with 1 unknown.....but this equation has 2 unknowns ax & by.....and this equation has the same 2 unknowns cx & dy...

    If I find x = by/a, then I can substitute that into the other equation (x = dy/c) and then I will have dy/c =by/a, and I know the values of a,b,c,d! Awesome! Done.

    Rinse, repeat.

    As for proofs, if they're still in the papers just learn the method of them and the steps involved.


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