Subject areas

Studying maths

There is a better way to study maths than endless practice and memorising formulae. Indeed, there are sets of skills that experienced mathematicians apply almost without thinking about them.

These web pages, based on Studying Mathematics and its Applications by Peter Kahn, will introduce you to one of these skills, using examples of ideas. You are also able to download one of the chapters from the book, ‘Chapter 5: Taking Ideas Apart’ which introduces a skill that is critical to understanding more complex mathematical ideas.

The abilities of using examples of ideas or taking ideas apart are, however, not ends in themselves. Mathematicians use these kinds of skills to help them complete mathematical tasks. So we will also take a look at one mathematical task, solving problems, and see how to approach this more effectively.

Before you look at these skills though, why not undertake a short quiz ‘How do you view mathematics?’ to give you some insight into your own approach to the subject. Are you ready to think like a mathematician?

This content has been written by Peter Kahn, author of Studying Mathematics and its Applications.

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