7 Great Steps to Build Your Maths Skills, Whatever Stage You’re At

Do you find yourself struggling with maths? Believe it or not, improving your maths skills isn’t as hard as it seems. The key is a systematic approach that promotes long-term retention. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through 7 powerful steps that can reshape your relationship with maths. From identifying your starting point to daily practice regimes, these strategies will be instrumental in kick-starting your journey. Let’s explore these strategies together!

7 Great Steps to Quickly Build Your Maths Skills 

Whether you have learning difficulties or difficulties understanding maths, there are plenty of things you can do to catch up. Here are 7 great steps to quickly build your maths skills. 

Step 1: Know Your Starting Point to Build a Learning Plan

Maths is a skill that’s difficult to learn out of order, so you’ll need to understand where you’re starting from before you can grow. No one can master algebra without first knowing how to multiply and divide, for instance. So, try to figure out where you’re struggling the most. 

The best way to do this is by working backwards. If you’re finding calculus difficult, then you’ll need to start with trigonometry. If trigonometry is hard, then go back to algebra. If algebra is a challenge, you’ll need to return to the fundamentals and learn your timetables. 

Step 2: Master Key Concepts and Work From There

Since modern maths curriculums build on each other, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of key maths concepts. For example, when learning about basic fractions, finding the least common multiple is helpful when you’re expressing fractions in the same denomination. 

Maths is filled with rules, and these need to be learned to perform certain operations. For example, there are 5 basic rules of algebra. Memorizing them will make it much easier for you to find the right answer to the equation, but rote repetition is necessary to lock them in your brain.

Step 3: Understand the Limits of Your Working Memory

Students often get tripped up in maths because they haven’t memorized key rules and concepts. If you don’t know your times tables and don’t have access to a calculator, it will be difficult to solve many maths problems. You’re also more likely to fall behind in other maths units.

Understanding the limits of your working memory is important because it helps you get a sense of why certain concepts stick in your brain, and others don’t. You’ll need to find a memorization technique that works for you so you can progress in maths and solve problems faster.

Step 4: Use Models to Explore Links in Mathematical Structures 

Teachers generally teach maths in a non-visual format after a certain age. But visual maths actually improves maths performance, so it’s worth it to explore maths using models. For example, instead of using numbers to represent a fraction, use blocks, circles, or other diagrams.

If you want to go a step further, you can try using more than one model. You could fill your page with blocks, graphs, and sequences to see how the problem looks from different angles. Having a visual representation of your maths problem is the best way to dissect a difficult problem.

Step 5: Start By Solving the Hardest Problem in Your Maths Unit

One of the most frustrating things about maths class in school was how teachers would only walk the class through the easier problems in your textbook. It’s the last few problems that often trip people up, but these are often ignored. Instead, we’ll do the opposite of what they did.

Starting with the hardest problem first does two things: it shows you where you’re having trouble, and it makes you faster at solving the easier problems. But, if you’re confused about how to get the right answer, we recommend using an app like Socratic, as it can help you out. 

Step 6: Bring Your Maths Curriculum Into the Real World

Bringing your maths curriculum into the real world can improve your understanding and retention. This involves taking abstract mathematical concepts and applying them to concrete, practical situations. For example, use maths to plan a grocery budget or calculate travel time on a trip. 

By relating your mathematics curriculum to tangible everyday experiences, you’ll not only solidify these concepts within your memory but also appreciate their relevance in real life. This strategy brings context to what may otherwise feel like arbitrary numerical operations.

Step 7: Practice Daily to Keep Your Maths Skills Strong 

The key to becoming proficient in maths is consistent, daily practice. This discipline not only helps reinforce your understanding of concepts but also develops mathematical intuition over time. Consider setting aside specific times for maths practice every day. 

Remember, the goal isn’t just to complete a problem. It’s about full understanding and mastery. Even brief daily sessions of focused study can improve long-term retention. Make mathematics a part of your daily routine, and watch your skills strengthen over time.

In Conclusion… 

With these 7 steps at your fingertips, building your maths skills just got a whole lot easier. Every journey begins with that first step, so let’s make a start today. Use these tips to transform the way you approach mathematics, no matter where you currently stand in your journey. 

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