From high school to college, algebra is always one of the core math courses and sometimes one of the most confusing. One common problem for students is solving for a variable on both sides of the equation such as 30 x 5y = 2y/3 + 10. A solid step to deconstructing any algebraic problem is to isolate one variable to one side of the equation without attempting to solve it. This allows you to deal with numbers and the variables independently. To illustrate this, the previous equation becomes easier to solve in this form: 15y -- 2y = 1.
Geometry often requires proofing: the process of finding facts about a geometrical shape using theorems. A key tip is to successfully apply one or two theorems right from the start as a foundation to your solution. From a general statement such as "find the perimeter of this rectangle," use facts you can identify and build from those: "the rectangle is made up of two right triangles and we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the length of one of the sides."
Calculus is perhaps most known for being one of the most complex fields of math. Concepts in calculus include limits (effects on equations as a variable approaches a near-infinite value) and derivatives (how much a variable changes as another variable changes). Some students find that the most difficult part of calculus is applying these concepts to practical real-life problems. Calculus experts suggest that the trick lies in extracting the mathematical function from the word problem. This involves understanding the problem, correctly identifying all variables and determining which element is the independent variable. The key here is to keep creating the function until only one independent variable is determined.
Statistics is a branch of math that is closely tied to real-world applications and business. One core concept in statistics is probability -- the chance of a positive answer depending on specific data sets. A tip for learning probability is to begin by mapping it out on a standard bell curve. Use the curve to note every percentage given in the problem and derive solutions from it. The curve is a powerful image tool to visualize all the concepts behind probability and can help students who particularly struggle with pure numbers.