Study Skills in Mathematics

presented by

Mr Abdul Malek Osman

Proactive Study

• Active Study versus Passive Study

• Studying Maths is different from studying other subjects– learning Maths is doing problems

• Study Time– at least 2 hours of study time per lecture hour– Form informal study groups

Problem Solving

• Types of Problems– Problems Testing memorisation,– Problems Testing skills,– Problems requiring application of skills to

familiar situations,– Problems requiring application of skills to

unfamiliar situations (you develop a strategy for a new problem type),

– Problems requiring that you extend the skills or theory you know before applying them to an unfamiliar situation.

Problem Solving

• How to Solve Problems–Applying Polya’s 4 Steps to

Problem Solving

• "Word" Problems are Really "Applied" Problems

Tests and Exams

• Preparation– Revision of any topic should start,– no later, than the week after

you’ve been taught it!• Studying for the exam

– Do the maths problems again mentally

– Put yourself in examination format– Prepare early

Tests and Exams• Strategies in the Exam Room

– Read through the paper– Know how many questions to answer– Do the easy one first– Work by the clock– Show all workings– Never waste time erasing– Don't give up on a several-part problem– Verify your answer– If you finish early, CHECK all problems

REMEMBER• NOBODY CAN DO your studying

for you NOR your friend TAKE your EXAMs for you.

• Therefore, START EARLY.

Refer to www.pyss.edu.sg (mathematics dept) for softcopy of

slides