What Do You Do When You Are Stuck On A Math Problem?

Some Suggestions:

1. Look at your notes.
2. See if there are notes posted on the SMART Board Notes site.
3. Email your Teacher.
4. Call, IM, email or text a friend. (Keeping a distribution list of your classmates in your email address book can be a help.)
5. Find an example in your text book or online. Try to match up the similar pieces of the problem that you are doing with the given example.
6. Look up the definitions of all the key words in the directions to give you a better understanding of what is being asked of you. This can be aided by using the glossary and index in your text book, the vocabulary section of this web or doing a Google search.
7. Can you find a similar math problem to solve which is easier. In essence, can you go backwards.
8. Spend some time reviewing other topics. If you are struggling mastering new material. Brushing up on older skills is always a step in the right direction. Math skills are just that, SKILLS. They need to be kept sharp much like shooting foul shots or driving golf balls. Anytime you spend keeping your skills sharp is time well spent.
9. Develop structured questions. Questions like, "How do you do this?" or "What's that thing?" are unstructured. A structured question is more like. "Is this part of the problem like the third line of the example on page 351?" or "Why should I subtract before I divide in solving this equation?"
10. Surf the Web. (Hey, I guess if you are reading this, you figured that out already. Now go back to the Link's Mr. Vizza endorses and snoop around.)

All of the above suggestions point to a student who is trying to take responsibility for their work and their obligations. These are habits that help you succeed throughout a lifetime. Strive for them.