Math concepts
I am not a mathematician.
I’ve never considered myself good at math. In fact, as I explain in my post teaching you how to get better at math, I actually failed most of my high school math classes. I even failed calculus 3 times before I finally understood it on the fourth try.
Now I have a physics degree. A degree that requires so many math skills and the ability to grasp high-level mathematical concepts, that everyone who gets it automatically gets a mathematics minor.
The articles in this section of my website explain many of my unique approaches to learning math and physics, along with articles discussing many of the real-world applications of mathematics, physics, probability, and the problem-solving mindset that comes along with it.
7 ways to improve numeracy skills
Numeracy is defined as a person’s general ability to work with and understand numbers. It’s not a high-level skill, but it is an important one to grasp before you move on to higher-level math.
This is the general issue people have before they move on to conceptual math skills. Conceptual math is the math that requires you to think rather than regurgitate. It’s the first step to taking your math lessons and applying them to the real world.
In this article, I give a few ways to help develop your numeracy skills so you can solve harder math problems.
Read7 ways to improve your numeracy skills
12 reasons why math is important (and how to get better)
Unfortunately, many American kids tend to write off math because they had a bad experience learning it in middle school. That’s unfortunate because the most valuable positions in society are occupied by people who are at least proficient in math.
Number sense is money sense and it goes a long way in opening many doors for you. Whether in the trades as an electrician or mechanic, a program, or an old-fashioned engineer, people who take the time to grasp important math concepts make more money and have a higher quality of life.
But those aren’t the reasons to become proficient at math. This article breaks down the 12 reasons why math is important and tells you some ways you can get better at math.
Read 12 reasons why math is important
8 unexpected reasons why math is so hard
I wrote this article because I was contemplating what made math so difficult for me and then what made it so much easier for me when I approached it again as an adult. Part of it was my renewed interest and discipline, but another major factor was that I learned how to learn math.
This new understanding of how to approach math also made me appreciate why a lot of people find even basic math difficult. I wrote this article to dig into the main reasons I’ve found that people find math so hard. I also give some solutions to help you approach the subject with more confidence.
Read 8 unexpected reasons why math is so hard
The easy 4 step problem-solving process (+ examples)
I taught students how to think during my 3 years as a full-time math and physics tutor. Quantitative reasons are fantastic grounds to train people to use their minds to think about problems and solve them.
This article goes through the 4-step problem-solving process that I taught to all of them. It worked to not only get them through school but to make them better thinkers in life.
Read The easy 4 step problem-solving process
Is physics hard? How to learn basic physics
A lot of people think physics is difficult.
I suppose they aren’t wrong, per se. The real challenge with physics is that you can’t just memorize your way through the course. You have to actually learn everything and make sure you grasp the concepts presented.
It’s also a discipline that requires quantitative reasoning, a strong vocabulary, and the ability to visualize things. This article talks about all the things you have to do to successfully navigate a physics class.
Read Is physics hard? How to learn basic physics
How to get better at math in 7 simple steps
This article gives the plan I used to improve my math skills.
I walk you through how I—at the age of 30—relearned all the math from algebra 1, up through precalculus and trigonometry to prepare me for calculus and physics.
Here you will not only find inspiration (I show my high school transcripts to prove how hopeless I was) but you’ll also get real techniques to help you become a more effective mathematician.
A boxer teaches you how betting odds work
Betting odds look perplexing to most people who are not involved in the sports betting or gambling scene. However, they are actually quite simple.
7 ways to improve numeracy skills
This is bigger than just being good at math. Numbers are essential to life. Learn how to improve your numeracy skills in this lesson.
The 5 most important qualities of a good teacher
Being a great teacher boils down to 5 non-negotiable qualities. From my experience teaching and watching other teachers, I present them to you here.
12 great quotes from Annie Duke’s “Thinking in Bets”
Here are 12 great quotes from “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts” by former professional poker player Annie Duke.
12 reasons why math is important (and how to get better)
If one of these reasons to learn math motivates you to be a better student or makes your job as a teacher easier, then this list has done its job,
8 unexpected reasons why math is so hard
Math can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Part of making it easier is to understand why it’s challenging in the first place. This post explains it all.
The easy 4 step problem-solving process (+ examples)
This is the 4 step problem-solving process that I taught to my students for math problems, but it works for academic and social problems as well.
Is physics hard? How to learn basic physics
Physics isn’t hard. You just need a special approach to the math and theory involved. Here’s what you must do if you want to learn basic physics.
How to get better at math in 7 simple steps
How did I go from being a poor math student in high school to getting a degree in physics? This article teaches the method I used to improve my math skills.