by Amanda Fagan | Mar 29, 2016 | Math
Why Math and Science Go Together
Many students wonder why they have to do math in their science classes. They are completely different subjects…. aren’t they?
The reality of this question is that math itself is a science. Mathematics is defined as “the abstract science of numbers, quantities, and shapes, and the relations between them.” This might seem strange to some people. Isn’t science the biology, chemistry, and physics we learn in school? It is, but in a more general sense science is knowledge about or study of the natural world. Science is a systematic way of learning. The systematic approach to learning is what we know as the scientific method.
Think of any way you do a math problem. For example, imagine how you would find the zeroes of any quadratic function by using the quadratic formula. You work one step at a time to plug the coefficients from the equation into the quadratic formula and then to simplify. After finding the zeroes, you can then plot them on a graph. Every algebraic expression is solved in a systematic fashion- the same way any scientific problem would be solved. Any math problem is solved one step at a time.
Now, compare this to the scientific method. The scientific method begins with a question, which leads to a hypothesis. This hypothesis is then tested in an experiment. Following the experiment, you analyze the data and draw conclusions. Everything is done one step at a time. It doesn’t make sense to analyze the data before you conduct an experiment, just as it doesn’t make sense to plot the zeroes of a quadratic function before you have fully solved for them.
There is also quite a bit of research in math that involves the scientific method. Mathematical research is the reason we have formulas that we can use to begin with. There would be no explanation of why these formulas work without science. Many of the people who shaped the early history of mathematics also shaped the early history of science. For example, early Indian mathematicians are responsible for the beginnings of algebra as well as many major astronomical observations. Chinese mathematicians invented the abacus, which was an early counting machine. These mathematicians were also used for solving practical problems in engineering and business. The Greek philosophers Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle were responsible for much of the world’s early conceptions of the universe. They also began the conception of numbers as elements of all things in the universe, making mathematics a respected field of study.
by Amanda Fagan | Jan 26, 2016 | Math
K
eep Your Momentum!
By now, we are several weeks into the semester. This is about the time that people tend to start slipping from their goals. They lose stamina. Notebooks that began the semester neat and organized are now becoming messier and messier. Don’t fall into this trap! Here are some ways to keep going strong this semester:
1. Keep Practicing Every Day
Especially with math, it is extremely important that you keep practicing every day! Don’t think that because things seem easier in the beginning, it’s okay to not work as hard now. Even if you think you have a good grasp on the material, keep coming to MaThCliX. Working with other people helps you more than you realize.
2. Get Organized…Again
If you are starting to notice that you are becoming less and less organized as the semester is going on, take a break and organize everything again. Staying organized throughout the semester makes studying for finals much easier when you make it to the end of the semester. You also avoid unnecessary stress when everything is in order the way it should be.
3. Remember Your Goals
Remember the goals that you set in the beginning, and remember why you set them. Evaluate your progress so far. Are you still on the right track? Are you still doing what you need to in order to reach your goals? If not, that’s okay! You can still make the changes you need to in order to reach your goals. In fact, it is easier to make changes now than waiting until right before the final.
4. Remember to Rest
It’s okay to take a break sometimes. Don’t use this as an excuse to slack off, but if you are working diligently towards your goals, it is okay to take a break to regroup and refresh yourself. Taking time to rest will help you avoid becoming too overwhelmed and will help you avoid becoming burnt out from working so hard in the beginning.
Don’t lose heart! It may take work, and it may take stamina, but you can reach the goals you have set! Don’t get too comfortable. Just remember to keep on trying, and you will find that you will achieve your goals.
by Amanda Fagan | Oct 13, 2015 | Math
Change Your Mind, Change Your Grades
The other day, I was speaking to a friend who recently graduated from college with an Engineering degree. He worked full time during his whole time in school and still managed to graduate with exceptional grades. When I asked him how he did it, he said, “All of those people failed because they told themselves it was hard.” This made me think of all of the difficult classes I have taken over the years—and my attitude while I took them! I confess, I often did tell myself the work was difficult. I would find myself thinking, “This is too hard. I don’t feel like studying right now,” when in reality, those were the times when I needed to work even harder. How much better would my grades have been in those classes if, instead of feeling discouraged, I approached my work with feelings of excitement about the opportunity to learn so many new things? However, sometimes being positive is difficult. Here are some ways to make it a little bit easier:
- Set small goals.
Learning is a process. Sometimes the end goal seems completely unattainable. Try to take it one step at a time. Setting smaller, more attainable goals will give you the confidence boost you need to keep going. As you move towards each goal, you will find yourself improving more than you ever thought you could!
- Gain some perspective.
Try transforming all of your negative thoughts into positive ones. Instead of thinking, “This is too hard!” or “I just can’t do it,” try thinking about all of the progress you have made. Think of your mistakes as opportunities to learn even more. We learn far more from mistakes and failure than we do from doing everything perfectly the first time. Difficulty is simply another opportunity to practice. Try thinking about your homework as an exciting opportunity to learn and practice instead of a trial you must suffer through. Don’t ever think that you cannot do something. Instead try thinking something like, “I can do this, but it might take a little bit of work.”
- Never give up!
The most important thing to remember is to never give up. As long as you keep trying and keep working, eventually you will realize you learned something! Even if the steps you are taking are small, you will eventually have big results. Remember that every bit of practicing gets you a little closer to where you need to be. If you keep trying, you always have the possibility of someday reaching your goals. If you quit now, you have the certainty that you will not.
Remember that your thoughts and attitude have an enormous effect on your studies! Learning becomes much easier and much enjoyable when you treat it as something that can be fun instead of as a chore. It may be difficult at first to have a completely positive outlook. Start small. If you don’t honestly believe what you’re doing is fun, try at least pretending it is. You’ll be amazed what a difference your thoughts make!
