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10 Tips to Improve Your Math Skills Everyday

By Meaghan Montrose

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The continual advancement of technology has many benefits, but there is also a drawback. Having computers and calculators ever present has made many of us lazy. Many people avoid figuring out any type of mathematical problem in their head or on paper and instead choose to let a computer solve even the simplest problem.

Though this technology may be convenient, this is doing a disservice to our intellectual abilities. As the saying goes, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”. A decline in math practice will weaken your capabilities. On the other hand, “practice makes perfect”. The best way to improve your mathematical mind is to use it each day. There are many opportunities in your daily life to do some mental math and keep your brain engaged. The more you think mathematically, the easier it becomes.

Here are just some examples:

1. Figure out the change you should get back from the cashier before the register gives the answer.
2. During commercial breaks, calculate the amount of time left in the show you are watching.
3. Estimate the total of your shopping purchase before you check out.
4. Determine the tip you will leave at dinner without pulling out a tip guide.
5. When in a group of people (like at a concert or sporting event), count a small section of people then use this to estimate the total number of people.
6. Instead of asking someone’s age, ask the year they were born and figure the age out yourself.
7. Determine the number of days until your birthday.
8. When traveling in a car, estimate the distance you have traveled (use your odometer to check your accuracy).
9. Adjust the quantities of a recipe without relying on a calculator.
10. Calculate the number of hours until you leave work/school for the week.

Do you have other suggestions? Please share!

Topics: Study Skills and Learning Strategies | 10 Comments »

10 Responses to “10 Tips to Improve Your Math Skills Everyday”

  1. Clark Says:
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    Just count things everywhere to keep your mathematical mind going. For instance, when in a room, determine the number of tiles on the ceiling or calculate the number of windows on a building.

  2. Mister Teacher Says:
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    I tell my kids they should practice estimation AND rounding by keeping a running total while shopping at the grocery store.

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  4. Misty Says:
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    Love the tips – those are the types of thing we try to do to squeeze math practice into our busy homeschooling lives. You gave me some new ideas. Thanks.

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  7. Tony Says:
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    When im out for a walk and see houses, I look at the house number and divide/add/subtract/multiply with another house number

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