author’s solutions. Fill in any steps the author may have left out. If you do
not understand why the author did something, write a note in the book and
ask your instructor or a friend to explain it to you. Also, notice how each
problem is different from the previous one and what techniques are needed to
find the answer. After you have finished this, write the same problems on a
separate sheet of paper and try to solve them without looking in your book.
Check the results against the author’s solutions.
Don’t be discouraged if you cannot understand something the first time
you read it. Read the selection at least three times. Also, look at your class-
room notes. You may find that your instructor has explained the material
better than your book. If you still cannot understand the material, do not
say, ‘‘This book is bad. I can’t learn it.’’ What you can do is go to the library
and get another book and look up the topic in the table of contents or
appendix. Study this author’s approach and try to do the problems again.
There is no excuse. If the book is bad, get another one.
Remember that I didn’t ever say that learning mathematics was easy. It is
not, but it can be done if you put forth the effort!
After you have studied your notes and read the material in the textbook,
try to do the homework exercises.HOMEWORK
Probably the single most important factor which determines success in
mathematics is doing the homework. There’s an old saying that
‘‘Mathematics is not a spectator sport.’’ What this means is that in order
to learn mathematics, you must do the homework. As stated previously, it is
like learning to play an instrument. If you went to music class but never
practiced, you could never learn how to play your instrument. Also, you
must practice regularly or you will forget or be unable to play your instru-
ment. Likewise, with mathematics, you must do the homework every day it is
assigned. Here are my suggestions for doing your homework:
First and most important:DO YOUR HOMEWORK AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE AFTER CLASS. The reason is that the material will still
be fresh in your mind.
Make a habit of studying your mathematics regularly – say, three times
a week, five times a week, etc.
Get your book, notes, and all previous homework problems, calcula-
tor, pencil, paper (everything you will need) before you start.
Do not dally around. Get started at once and do not let yourself be
interrupted after you start.282 SUPPLEMENT Overcoming Math Anxiety