Welcome to grade 8. It’s the start of something new, leading to great things in your future. So far school has been quite relaxed lots of fun and easy goings.

This year however things have changed there’s a lot of talk about how everything, “counts,” “you need to plan for your future” and “think about where you want to go in life.”

It can be overwhelming at times. This is further emphasised by those, old, fluffy, little friends of yours from primary school; English, Mathematics or Afrikaans, turning into big hairy monsters, complete with sharp pointy teeth.

Having to face these guys on a day to day schedule can leave you feeling exhausted and stressed especially if you don’t have a proven method to tackle these subjects with.

That’s why today we will explore techniques on how to tame one of these monsters, although most of the techniques discussed can be applied to any subject. Today’s topic will be on one of if not the scariest of the monsters, Mathematics, so without future a due let’s get into it.

History of Mathematics and Its Implementation in Everyday Life

Let us briefly look into the origin of Mathematics, so we can better understand its place in our world. One of the earliest forms of mathematics found is that of counting systems used by primitive man.

Discovered by modern anthropologists, we now know that early Australian and Polynesian tribes used counting systems, that had numbers from 1 – 4, this paved the way for humans to move from mere gatherers of food to producers.

After this point we notice some interesting changes; the Egyptians give us advances in arithmetic and geometry resulting in great progress in human construction including the construction of the pyramids, structures that we still cannot replicate in today’s modern world.

We then should mention the Greeks who created a fully integrated number system based on geometry and gave us the first nameable, credible individuals, who contributed to mathematics.

Along with the actual word mathematics translated to, “that which is learned”. The Greeks also brought a fundamental property into math, the ability to prove theorems. This trend followed with many other cultures around the world each adding their own input, even up till today with the invention of the computer chip and the subsequent reinvention of it, which has now integrated itself into every aspect of our lives. Computers themselves being powerful, precise calculators.

Why Do I have to learn this I’m never going to use it?

A common question that students have even up until today is, “Why do I have to learn this stuff? I’m never gonna use it.” I have always found this question interesting and a reflection based on the understanding the student has in their mathematics.

Let’s explore this, the brain is a very complex organ and we still have much to learn about it but there was a time when the brain was thought to have certain subjects “grouped” or “categorised” into certain areas.

Like English in one hemisphere, closely related to Art on the left hemisphere and so on. At this point in time our statement above stands true, if maths has a spot on the brain and we leave school to pursue something that uses a different spot, then why bother? This is not true though as scientists later discovered that the brain is more like a map with certain areas of the brain associated with specific subjects but in no way isolated to any given area or hemisphere.

What is important is the connection to these areas of the brain. Think of these connections as roads between cities or provinces. When we practice English for example, these connections get stronger and help to from tighter connections between brain cells which in turn results in masterful action like; reading, spelling or speech.

Think of these roads as being undeveloped and covered in dirt, which change by becoming smoothened then tarred then painted, as we learn and practice any given subject. Math being a subject that is used in every aspect of our life from counting to construction, problem solving and even languages and communication, would mean if focussed on it will better the connections to most if not all the areas of the brain thus making us more masterful at everything we choose to pursue.

Study methods

So now that we know the place mathematics holds in our world and lives let us Revise Your study method.

Everyone learns in different ways, be it visual, auditory or maybe word games. Find which method works for you, it should get your attention easily and help you retain information for longer.

If it is visual, try drawing pictures of what you are trying to learn. A stick figure performing the action, or a doodle of the action works well. Then add some colour to it.

If auditory then try making a rhyme or even a song on the subject you are trying to study a catchy jingle is extremely hard to forget.

Or some people like to use word games, creating acronyms and then using the letters to create little short outrageous stories. the more outrageous the easier to remember

Experiment with the different study methods and test yourself to see which method helped you retain more information, was quicker for you and easier. Once you have found your style of studying we can focus on some tips and tricks to make things easier for you.

Tips and tricks

Start early, going over 2 to 3 sums a day, of the current section, will be a lot easier than going over 4, entire sections, 2 days before the exam.

Pay attention to common or recurring sections, regardless if a concept seems hard to grasp or “complicated” if it is specific and less common chances are it won’t be focused on in the exam.

For example, why does algebra have a section all to its self and then shows up in geometry, when solving for unknowns by manipulating geometric formulas?

Or in graphs and later in trigonometry when we must manipulate equations to reduce them, solve for unknowns and prove left hand sides to right hand sides? Maybe there is a greater importance and thus you should put more focus in understanding algebra.

Be careful when copying your friends or other classmates work. A lot of students take things down for the sake of it, leave no room for error ask the teacher to provided you with the missed info as well as to explain it.

Don’t be afraid to fail. You cannot always get 100% but do not let a bad mark pull down your marks for the rest of the year.

Lastly trust yourself. Maths is a subject about precision, if you follow the formula correctly your answer cannot be wrong. Too many of my students doubt themselves when they have the right answer.

Suggested Free Resources

Now that we have a study method and know what to look out for in our maths lessons we are going to need sums to practice on, one can always go to the department of education website and find past papers to exams. Which is a great resource to use they have past papers dating back to 2011, this is a great resource to use as it lets us know exactly what to expect end of year.

What about the less common methods like the library? Lots of students stay away from libraries because they believe, “the books are missing,” “people have torn the pages out,” or have “written in them” but have you experienced this yourself? Don’t take people's word for it, go to a library and see for yourself, there are a great many books, intact with helpful exercises.

What about your own school? Many schools today have online facilities to aid students with extra lessons or study material, find out if your school offers this from an HOD/ class teacher. If you spend a lot of the time on the couch in front of the TV, why not turn to channel 319 DSTV? This is the Learn Xtra TV channel a local TV channel dedicated to helping students across the country with many subjects including Math. You can follow along and download worksheets as well as notes from the show to go over in your own time.

Conclusion

Using these methods and keeping in mind all we discussed will ensure that you set yourself up for a fun and productive Mathematics career in high school and hopefully the rest of your life as well. Remember - in Maths and all that you do - to believe that you can do it. Once you do that everything seems to fall into place.

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