Learn the mathematical laws that govern multiplication, division, addition and subtraction of terms, whether they are numbers or symbols. The commutative law is one such law used when rearranging equations. Other laws include the associative law, multiplying by one and the distributive law.
Practice using these laws by working sample problems. Continue working the problems until you are comfortable with the approach and application of the laws.
Apply the laws to equations to isolate the variable on one side of the equation and the other terms in the equation on the other side. For example, find the value for x in the equation 5x -- 2 = x + 4. Adding 2 to each side of the equation yields 5x = x + 6. Subtracting x from each side leaves 4x = 6. Divide both sides of the equation by 4 to give the answer of x = 6/4. Simplify the answer by reducing the fraction to x = 3/2 = 1 1/2.
Solve word problems by reading the problem with a critical eye. As you read, write down all the information the problem gives you. Discern what the problem wants you to find or solve. All word problems will give you a set of information that will allow you to find the answer.
Write an equation that solves or answers the question. Based on the information in the word problem, write it in mathematical notation. For example, if one number is 5 more than a second number and the sum of the two numbers is 71, what are the two numbers? Assume that x represents the smaller number, so x + 5 is the larger number. Also x + (x + 5) = 71. This simplifies to 2x + 5 = 71. Worked out as described before, you would find 2x = 66, so x = 33. The two numbers are 33 and 38.
Practice graphing functions. You can graph functions or equations by setting up a values table and plotting the points that result. Set up a table with two columns, one for x values and one for y values. Write the function for equation at the top of the table. Rearrange the equation so that it is in the form of "y =".
Fill the x table with values that will be easy to use to calculate y. The values around the origin of the graph coordinate axes work best, which are -2, -1, 0, 1 and 2. Plot these points on the graph. Draw a straight line through the points. If the function or equation is a quadratic formula, then the line will not be straight. You will need to draw a line that connects all the points. Quadratic equations plot as parabolas on a graph.