Those maths issues...

[User29123]

:sl:

I've posted this like a couple of times before guess what? Nothing has changed except I can now navigate away from my PC go down stairs will all my books, write two lines and give up. I can never concentrate when doing maths, I don't know why, I mean I can easily on computer learn programming or read a pdf but when it comes to maths arghh! I give up. I think it is too confusing for me, but I do need the subject, my main problem is focusing and revising maths. I am supposed to be revising EVERY DAY because I am short of time..

I have not even made a structure on what I should be revising, my mind is all over the place. What shall I do?

P.S I looked at Islamic Maths, it seems Algebra was from Arabic word, Can Islam help me in maths...? (Might be a weird question but lol )

It even said on Google Islamic Maths was 500 years ahead!

This is what wiki says:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics_in_medieval_Islam

oh let me add I hardly now my times tables from 2 to 12 most now the 5s/10/2/....

[syed1]

from what I know the arabs were very advanced in mathematics in their time. I don't know if studying islam would make you better at maths, I don't see the correlation..

I was very bad at math (and still am) but I needed to finish a course to get into a program and so I set my mind to it and did it. I did it through independent learning where I would read a pdf file and then answer questions based from that. I also had a friend who was really good at math who helped me so in the end I passed with an A grade.

[Muhaba]

if you don't know the basics in math, you won't be able to grasp more difficult material. it's like building a building when weak foundation. i think you should get a tutor. have your tutor test you to find out where your weakness is and then start teaching you from there. if you don't know your times tables, learn them.

[GuestFellow]

You need to understand basic maths...like adding, subtracting, multiplication, division...then move onto the decimal point system, fractions, percentages...then you will be able to understand complex mathematics. Also, you need to practice questions...this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. YOU MUST PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE.

You need to be motivated. It can be a very boring subject. To me, Maths is extremely useful because it allows you to solve problem. It's a problem solving subject.

Do read up on the history of mathematics and learn all the basics.

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[Crystal]

Seems like you just need some motivation or it could be your learning style needs to change - some people can understand maths from a book others need some example to explain it in a practical way - if you don't like sitting down and looking at a book why don't you try some interactive ways of learning maths - there are lots of websites on the internet that teach maths in an interactive way so you may benefit from them.

Also if you are willing to pay money a personal tutor may benefit you.

[User29123]

Seems like you just need some motivation or it could be your learning style needs to change - some people can understand maths from a book others need some example to explain it in a practical way - if you don't like sitting down and looking at a book why don't you try some interactive ways of learning maths - there are lots of websites on the internet that teach maths in an interactive way so you may benefit from them.

Also if you are willing to pay money a personal tutor may benefit you.

I think the main reason is when I can't do something or figure it out I totally give up, I mean I can play computer games and remember EVERY little thing! I remember playing Splinter Cell when I had an XBOX that was like 4 / 5 years ago. I don't have an XBOX any more but I got a PC. I seen a deal of that same game Splinter Cell and bought it, and guess what? I remember every mission and weapons perfect! It's just maths gets me frustrated. The interactive learning style won't work I don't think, I would probably start doing other things.

Tutor currently too expensive....:(

I think making mind maps works for me, but only if I put effort in, and not get stressed out too quickly...

[GuestFellow]

I'm not sure mind maps are going to work for maths, unless you want to remember formulas.

All I can say is practice maths questions. Maths is frustrating when you get stuck on a question. To get motivated, start answering questions that you can get right. Once you get comfortable with basic questions, move on to the advance. There is nothing wrong getting stuck on a Maths question. Like I said before, Maths is a problem-solving subject and you are supposed to get stuck at one point.

[ardianto]

:sl:

can never concentrate when doing maths, I don't know why, I mean I can easily on computer learn programming or read a pdf but when it comes to maths arghh!

It seem like you are a "Right Brain Person". Yes, Right Brain People are not good in math, but in other matter that related to creativity, they are very good. I am a Right Brain person too.

But the common problem that faced by Right Brain people is, people around them regard Right Brain people have low intelligence because they are not good in math, different than "Left Brain People" who are very good in math, but in other matter actually they are worse than Right Brain People.

My advice. You don't need to force yourself to have ability in math like Left Brain people, because you will not able. It's better if you try to optimize your Right Brain abilities. You can start with reading articles or books about "Right Brain Optimization". You can find books about this in many bookstores.

****

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
--------------------
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe


RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
---------------------
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

[User29123]

:sl:

It seem like you are a "Right Brain Person". Yes, Right Brain People are not good in math, but in other matter that related to creativity, they are very good. I am a Right Brain person too.

But the common problem that faced by Right Brain people is, people around them regard Right Brain people have low intelligence because they are not good in math, different than "Left Brain People" who are very good in math, but in other matter actually they are worse than Right Brain People.

My advice. You don't need to force yourself to have ability in math like Left Brain people, because you will not able. It's better if you try to optimize your Right Brain abilities. You can start with reading articles or books about "Right Brain Optimization". You can find books about this in many bookstores.

****

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
--------------------
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe


RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
---------------------
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

What about Middle Brain People? Or does that not exist :)

[ardianto]

What about Middle Brain People? Or does that not exist

Not Middle Brain, but people who can use both side of their brains in a balanced. They are exist, even they are majority. But, they are known as ordinary people. I mean, they are not "the specialist" in a field.

[Ramadhan]

Little did I know that my awesome times tables memorisation was of little use when I encountered err.. slightly more complicated math problems:

But yes, you need to have strong foundations in basic math theorems to build on.
You need to really understand the background and the meanings of those theorems. Really understanding the basic theorems will help you to learn more advanced theorems and solve more complex problems. For example, to be able to understand complex analyses and vector analyses, you need to have good ground in trigonometry.
Reading about the interesting life stories of the past mathematics greats such as archimedes, plato, al khwarizmi (founder of algebra methods), newton, pascal, etc would give you inspiration and maybe also motivation.