How to Learn Math Formula

In a recent IntMath Poll, readers indicated that the hardest thing about math was learning the formulas.
Here are 10 things you can do to improve your memory for math formulas.
1. Read ahead
Read over tomorrow’s math lesson today. Get a general idea about the new formulas in advance, before your teacher covers them in class.
As you read ahead, you will recognize some of it, and other parts will be brand new. That’s OK - when your teacher is explaining them you already have a “hook” to hang this new knowledge on and it will make more sense — and it will be easier to memorize the formulas later.
This technique also gives you an overview of the diagrams, graphs and vocabulary in the new section. Look up any new words in a dictionary so you reduce this stumbling block in class.
This step may only take 15 minutes or so before each class, but will make a huge difference to your understanding of the math you are studying.
I always used to read ahead when I was a student and I would be calm in class while all my friends were stressed out and confused about the new topic.
2. Meaning
All of us find it very difficult to learn meaningless lists of words, letters or numbers. Our brain cannot see the connections between the words and so they are quickly forgotten.
Don’t just try to learn formulas by themselves — it’s just like learning that meaningless list.
When you need to learn formulas, also learn the conditions for each formula (it might be something like “if x > 0″).
Also draw a relevant diagram or graph each time you write the formula (it might be a parabola, or perhaps a circle). You will begin to associate the picture with the formula and then later when you need to recall that formula, the associated image will help you to remember it (and its meaning, and its conditions).
During exams, many of my students would try to answer a question with the wrong formula! I could see that they successfully learned the formula, but they had no idea how to apply it. Diagrams, graphs and pictures always help.
Most of us find it difficult to learn things in a vacuum, so make sure you learn the formulas in their right context.
When you create your summary list of formulas, include conditions and relevant pictures, graphs and diagrams.
3. Practice
You know, math teachers don’t give you homework because they are nasty creatures. They do it because they know repetition is a very important aspect of learning. If you practice a new skill, the connections between neurons in your brain are strengthened. But if you don’t practice, then the weak bonds are broken.
If you try to learn formulas without doing the practice first, then you are just making it more difficult for yourself.
4. Keep a list of symbols
Most math formulas involve some Greek letters, or perhaps some strange symbols like ^ or perhaps a letter with a bar over the top.
When we learn a foreign language, it’s good to keep a list of the new vocabulary as we come across it. As it gets more complicated, we can go back to the list to remind us of the words we learned recently but are hazy about. Learning mathematics symbols should be like this, too.
Keep a list of symbols and paste them up somewhere in your room, so that you can update it easily and can refer to it when needed. Write out the symbol in words, for example: ∑ is “sum”; ∫ is the “integration” symbol and Φ is “capital phi”, the Greek letter.
Just like when learning whole formulas, include a small diagram or graph to remind you of where each symbol came from.
Another way of keeping your list is via flash cards. Make use of dead time on the bus and learn a few formulas each day.
5. Absorb the formulas via different channels
I’ve already talked about writing and visual aids for learning formulas. Also process and learn each one by hearing it and speaking it.
An example here is the formula for the derivative of a fraction involving x terms on the top and bottom (known as the “Quotient Rule”). Then in words, the derivative is:
dy/dx = bottom times derivative of top minus top times derivative of bottom all over bottom squared.
The formula is actually as follows, if we let u = numerator and v = denominator of the fraction, then:


6. Use memory techniques
Most people are capable of learning lists of unrelated numbers or words, as long as they use the right techniques. Such techniques can be applied to the learning of formulas as well.
One of these techniques is to create a story around the thing you need to learn. The crazier the story, the better it is because it is easier to remember. If the story is set in some striking physical location, it also helps to remember it later.
7. Know why
In many examinations, they give you a math formula sheet so why do you still need to learn formulas? As mentioned earlier, if students don’t know what they are doing, they will choose a formula randomly, plug in the values and hope for the best. This usually has bad outcomes and zero marks.
I encourage you to learn the formulas, even if they are given to you in the exam. The process of learning the conditions for how to use the formula and the associated graphs or diagrams, means that you are more likely to use the correct formula and use it correctly when answering the question. This is also good for future learning, because you have a much better grasp of the basics.
8. Sleep on it
Don’t under-estimate the importance of sleep when it comes to remembering things. Deep sleep is a phase during the night where we process what we thought about during the day and this is when more permanent memories are laid down. During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, we rehearse the new skills and consolidate them.
Avoid cramming your math formulas the night before an exam until late. Have a plan for what you are going to learn and spread it out so that it is not overwhelming.
9. Healthy body, efficient brain
The healthier you are, the less you need to worry about sickness distracting from your learning. Spend time exercising and getting the oxygen flowing in your brain. This is essential for learning.
10. Remove distractions
This one is a problem for those of us that love being on the Internet, or listening to music, or talking to our friends. There are just so many things that distract us from learning what we need to learn.
Turn off all those distractions for a set time each day. You won’t die without them. Concentrate on the formulas you need to learn and use all the above techniques.
When you are done, reward yourself with some media time — but only after you have really accomplished something.
This post is taken from here