HOW TO READ THE

EXPLANATORY MATERIAL

§              A math text has sections of math and sections of explanation in a special, stylized English. Read every word, one word at a time.  The author may explain something verbally only once.  If the author seems to repeat, it's probably to make a slightly different point.

§              Read slowly. Understand each part of a sentence as you go along; if you can't, STOP until you figure it out. You may have to read a passage several times.

HOW TO READ SAMPLE PROBLEMS THAT ARE WORKED OUT IN DETAIL

§              Read and reproduce these on paper as you go along.  DO NOT merely write down what you see in the book. Try to work out each step for yourself, step by step with the author.

§              Then close the book and try the problem again on your own.  If you get stuck, check that step in the book and continue on your own. Do the whole problem several times until you can reproduce the solution with the book closed.

§              DON'T MEMORIZE THE SOLUTION.  Keep track of operations, of what to do to move from step to step.  Don't worry if it takes you two or three steps to do what the author does in one.

§              Homework and exam questions are often very similar to sample problems.

HOW TO READ ILLUSTRATIONS

§              Like words and problems, pictures need careful study. Take time to understand the illustration thoroughly. This is especially true of graphs, which often have much information in a small space.

HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS!

§              What's obvious to the author can be a mystery to students. If you don't understand a point, other students probably don't either.  Someone has to be brave enough to ask the instructor what it means!

HOW TO GET MORE HELP

§              Your instructor is your first source.

§              If your class has a Peer Mentor, attend the study sessions.

§              Visit the Teaching/Learning Center for help from a staff or peer tutor or from faculty who are in the center.