Math and Science

Math and Science Study Tips

Before going to class:
 

	Preview the text material that will be covered in the lecture.
	Look at the problems at the end of the chapter
	Make note of new terms and theorems.
	Review (if necessary) old terms and definitions referred to in the new material.
	Formulate possible questions for class.

Remember, the purpose of previewing is to get an idea about what will be covered in the lecture. This should not be a time-consuming process.

Note-Taking
 

	Write down the instructor's explanatory remarks about the problem. Note how one gets from one step of the problem to another. Also note any particular conditions of the problem. Note why the approach to the problem is taken.
	Try to anticipate the consequences of a theorem or the next step in a problem. During a proof, keep the conclusion in mind.
	Note any concepts, rule, techniques, problems that the instructor emphasizes.
	Question your instructor during class about any unclear concept or procedure.
	If you miss something in the lecture or don't understand what's being presented, then write down what you can catch. Be sure to skip several lines so you can fill in the missing material later.
	As soon as possible after class, summarize, review, and edit your notes. Quickly read through your notes to get an overview of the material and to check for any errors or omissions. Fill in any information that you did not have time to write down or that the instructor didn't provide. Use the margin or the back of the opposite page to summarize the material, list key terms or formulas, and rework any example problems. Note any relationship to previous material.
	Review your notes at regular intervals and review them with the intent to learn and retain.

Text Reading
1. Read actively and read to understand thoroughly. Formulate questions before you read and read to answer those questions. Know what every word and symbol means. Translate abstract formulas to verbal explanations.

2. Analyze the example problems by asking yourself the following questions:
 

	What concepts, formulas, and rules were applied?
	What methods were used to solve the problem? Why was this method used?
	What was the first step?
	Have any steps be combined?
	What differences or similarities are there between the examples and homework problems?

3. Further analyze the example problems by using the following procedures:
 

	Explain each step using your own words.
	Draw your own diagrams to illustrate and explain problems.
	For practice, write down example problems from your book, close your book and try to do the problems. Check your work with the example to find what concepts, rules, or methods you are having trouble with.
	Stop periodically and recall the material that you have read.
	Review prerequisite material, if necessary.

Problem Solving:

1. Problem solving is usually the most important aspect of math or science courses. You should therefore spend much of your study time either working or studying problems. The following steps will help when problem solving.

2. Read through the problem at a moderate sped to get an overview of the problem.

3. Read through the problem again to find out what the problem is asking for.
If appropriate, draw a diagram and label the givens.

4. Read each phrase of the problem and write down all information that is given.
Devise a tentative plan to solve the problem by using one or more of the following tactics:
 

	Form relationships among all facts given.
	Think of every formula or definition that might be relevant to the problem.
	Work backwards; ask yourself what you need to know to get the answer.
	Relate the problem to similar examples from your textbook or notes.
	Solve the simpler case of the problem by using extremely large or small numbers; then follow your example if it is an example from the text.
	Break the problem into simpler problems. Work part of the problem and see if it relates to the whole.
	Guess an answer and then try to check it to see if it's correct. The method you use to check your answer may suggest a possible plan.
	If you are making no progress, take a break and return to the problem later.

5. Once you have a plan, carry it out.

6. Check your solution:
 

	Check to see if the answers are in the proper form.
	Insert you answer back into the problem.
	Make sure your answer is "reasonable."