Have you always struggled with solving even simple mathematical problems? If this is the case, you’re not alone. A lot of people have issues when it comes to working with numbers – whether in an academic setting or just shopping for groceries. Fortunately, you don’t have to continually struggle in this subject. With a slice of patience and dedication, it is possible to improve your math skills. This quick guide will spotlight a few helpful tips to use for making this a reality. 

Understand concepts 

Not all math problems can be completed with mental arithmetic alone. Many of them need to be worked out by using the appropriate rules and formulas. This instantly gives you a leg-up in your mission to improve, as you can learn these concepts via your own initiative. 

However, it is essential you comprehend in full the concepts behind these formulas/rules. If you only possess half an understanding of them, this is only going to lead to issues when you try and solve problems. Take the time to study, put into practice what you have learned, and then study again so the information sticks. 

Make use of online courses

You don’t have to go into your learning efforts in a fractured, spontaneous manner. You can do it in a structured way. One way of achieving this is by opting to take online courses. The good news is there are many different online math courses available. This means whether you are searching for an advanced course or a beginner one, you can easily find one from an accredited provider. 

You don’t necessarily have to enroll on a specific course. It’s possible to simply use lessons from YouTube for your learning needs. If you do a quick search on the platform, you’ll find multiple channels that are dedicated entirely to the subject of math. This includes the likes of Numberphile and ProfRobBob. Regardless of which channel you choose, you’ll find content that is crafted in a style that appeals to your tastes and needs. 

Use a calculator for assistance

Yes, certain mathematical problems effectively make it mandatory to use a calculator. With that said, don’t be scared to always have a calculator on standby if you require a little assistance. It doesn’t necessarily have to be used to find the answer to a question, either. It could simply be used to check if you solved the problem correctly. 

Plus, when you do hit a complex problem, having a calculator available is necessary. Say you have to use hex numbers to perform algebraic operations. This is unlikely to sound all that enticing trying to do it with a pen and paper. Fortunately, you can hop online to find a calculator for this problem. For instance, GIGA Calculator features an easy-to-use hex calculator for you to quickly convert hex numbers into decimal numbers – or vice versa. 

Make use of math apps 

As you know already, your smartphone is an incredible bit of kit. Whether you are staying in touch with friends on social media or using it to edit photos, your phone can be used in many different situations. This includes building on your math skills. 

As you would expect, the app stores are packed with an endless number of math-related apps. Most of these are best avoided, admittedly, but there are plenty of choices that are certainly worth your time. These apps include Star Dash Studios, Khan Academy, and BBC Skillswise. 

Math apps have the ability to make the learning experience a fun and easy one. In addition, they tend to allow you to build on concepts at your own pace. 

Improve your mental math ability

If you want to boost your overall mathematical ability, you need to improve your mental math ability. While this might seem like a natural gift that you either have or don’t have, there are various simple tricks to enhance this side of your mathematical skills. 

One trick, for example, is to work on doing multiplications in parts. This is an effective yet simple strategy, giving you the opportunity to work out multiples for large numbers. Say you have a question that asks you to find 5 x 67. You can split this into 5 x 60 (= 300) and 5 x 7 (= 35), and then add the two sums together (= 335) to come up with the overall answer. 

Another easy trick is the “5 times” one. When you have to multiply any number by five, simply multiply it by ten first and then half the number. For 5 x 62, start by multiplying it by ten for 620, and then divide this to get the answer of 310.