How To Read Mathematics Textbook

Trying to read math the same way as a novel or a history text is certain to cause you.

How to read mathematics textbook.

You should read the sentences carefully and think about their meaning. Students are taught to read quickly or skim the material. Reading a mathematics text is very different from reading ordinary english. This passage was written with math textbooks in mind.

It is equally appropriate for a chemistry or physics textbook so please substitute science for math depending on your class. Reading a math textbook is very difficult. Every sentence in a math book is full of information and logically linked to the surrounding sentences. It might take you half an hour to read and understand just one page.

Let me share with you the first paragraph of my math textbook s preface. If the example skips any steps make sure you write down each one of those skipped steps in the textbook for better understanding. A math book requires a different type of reading than a novel or a short story. Step 4 when you get to the examples go through each step.

It is equally appropriate for a chemistry or physics textbook so please substitute science for math depending on your class. How to learn from a math book reading a math book is different from reading other types of books and reading a math textbook is different from the traditional way students are taught to read textbooks in general. When you start reading you will realize that the book is a powerful criticism on the prevalent. Miikka asked me how i read a maths textbook the other day and i didn t have a better answer than badly i ve mostly tried to read textbooks linearly cover to cover and this doesn t actually work i sometimes end up understanding the material but it s usually not until long after i ve finished or given up on the book.

Reading a mathematics text is very different from reading ordinary english. Trying to read math the same way as a novel or a history text is certain to cause you trouble. The flow of a math book is not like the flow of a novel. If you do not understand a word you are supposed to keep on reading.

It is about how mathematics should be taught. T his book is a must read for math teachers.