How To Do My Math Homework If I Don’t Understand It At All?

Maths can be challenging when students move from basic concepts of addition and subtraction to lengthy equations that require taking multiples, dividing large numbers, and applying rules. In class, students nod in front of the teacher with a basic understanding, but coming home to extensive math homework is where they face problems.

However, addressing this challenge is necessary to resolve your brain’s battle against maths for individually tackling math concepts as you will encounter this subject in every grade. This guide provides you with ways to understand math problems, helping you to become a math expert.

Why Math Can Be Difficult 

Whereas some students enjoy maths, are quick learners, and have problem-solving skills, math can be intimidating for students who are weak in understanding and who require time to absorb the concepts. 

Before exploring the math homework tips for struggling students, let’s take a look at the common factors that make math difficult.

• Lack of foundational knowledge: The foundation of math lies in addition subtraction, division, and multiplication. When students struggle with these basic concepts, they face hurdles in the next step including long divisions, calculating percentages, and multiplying double numbers. Minor mistakes in these concepts make them weak for more skill-requiring questions.

• Math Anxiety: The word Math Anxiety is available across the internet with a proper definition, proving that this situation is real and students don’t just panic randomly. 

Of course, there are high chances you might suffer from math anxiety, especially when you open your bag at home knowing you have no one around to help you. The fear of solving the numbers on your own might trigger your anxiety levels. 

• Distractions: Getting distracted from surroundings is a very common cause. Math is a complex subject that requires keen concentration abilities on every step that you are solving. Students get bored and look for other activities that result in the occurrence of blunders while working on maths. 

These continuous mistakes decrease confidence and productivity levels resulting in them finding ways to understand math problems. 

• Fast-paced learning: A single exercise of math contains plenty of questions, all that need to be solved in different ways. To cover it all, teachers often wrap up the math syllabus in a quick way leaving very little time for students to absorb the previous concepts.

Immediate Steps to Take When You Don’t Understand Your Math Homework

When your math anxiety kicks in and you can’t stop stressing about your homework while searching for how to get help with math homework, immediately follow these steps.

Review Class Notes

• Open your notes and check for all the possible solutions you can find from your notes. Class notes are the best way to recall what your lecturer said as they contain all the tips and strategies you note down, told by your lecturer. 
• You might be drowning in worries on how to understand maths whereas the solution would be lying in your bag in the form of notes containing the best ways to solve your problems.

Identifying Specific Problem Areas 

It’s not necessary that the whole chapter would be complex. Read the question and understand what component of it is causing you confusion and then start working on it through various resources that we are going to discuss ahead.

Re-Reading Textbook Examples

• Textbook examples are a great way of clearing your concepts. Open your textbook and get a detailed look at examples. These solved examples have the same pattern that you need to follow to get your solutions. 

• Along with that, take a look at the theory provided as well. Rereading information from textbooks can also open your brain barriers interrupting you in performing well in maths. 

Make sure not to panic and take a systematic approach to this problem. With a calm mindset, you can make sensible decisions that lead to problem-solving outcomes.

Utilizing Online Resources and Tools

If none of the above-mentioned steps works for you, there is no need to worry! The internet is full of various platforms such as websites and mobile apps and these online resources can help with difficult math homework.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a platform that offers you free online lectures, providing you with a way to have a deep comprehension of mathematics according to your schedule.

If you are unable to understand lectures and require individual attention, websites like Khan Academy provide detailed explanations of the maths topics you are stuck at. From factorization to algebra, just write the topic in the search bar and you will get vast material regarding it.

Chegg

Chegg is a website exclusively designed for students struggling with their homework needs. It contains textbook solutions and expert guidance for solving a question along with its numerous features.

Moreover, a tool known as a math solver can assist you in finding the right answer if you are unsure of your calculations.

You can directly search for answers by uploading a photo of your textbook questions as well. 

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha world through its dynamic computations and advanced algorithm, caters to you with expert solutions immediately. 

It presents you with step-by-step detailed explanations from elementary-level maths to intricate topics like statistics, calculus, or trigonometry. It’s your go-to website for all your maths needs! 

Photomath

If you are too exhausted to visit websites, then scan your math problem through the Photomath app and it will display the steps and solution. It also facilitates you to choose from multiple-step methods and elaborates on each step as well. 

Microsoft Math Solver

Microsoft is known to assist with its work app features, but let us tell you it has made students’ lives easier as well. The math solver offers you video tutorials and graphical explanations on every math-related topic.

Moreover, it is available in all languages, so you can enjoy the explanations from anywhere around the globe!

These resources can provide you with the best math homework help online through different kinds of visual methods of explanations available. 

Seeking Help: Tutors, Study Groups, and Online Communities

There are situations where no matter how much effort you put in individually, you are unable to resolve your problem. In such circumstances, try to seek assistance from people as others with a better understanding may be able to help you with difficult math homework.

Hire a tutor: Hiring a tutor is one of the best ways to understand math problems, tutors tend to examine your weak areas and give individual attention to you with easy explanations. With their years of experience, tutors identify the areas where students are lacking and target those areas with their knowledge. 

If you need a tutor to take care of all your math class needs then look for options such as pay someone to take my online math class. 

Study Group: Study groups are an effective way to deal with a boring subject such as math. Study groups tend to create a productive environment where you can share your concepts and teach each other. Having your peers around brings out your sense of comfort and you can ask as many questions as possible without any fear.

However, if you are someone who does not like to interact with people and your socialization is only limited to mobile screens then consider joining online communities.

These online communities provide ease to students looking for math homework help online.

Reddit is an app where students or people of mutual interests socialize and have discussions about their topics and queries regarding them.  You can post your homework questions and students from all over the world can help you with the answer you are looking for. 

Some communities of Reddit that you can explore regarding maths are 

• r/math
• r/mathshelp
• r/MathsHomeworkHelper
• r/HomeworkHelp

Effective Study Tips for Better Understanding of Math 

To get improvement in a certain subject, it is necessary to be consistent with and add changes to your routine. Incorporating these below-mentioned math homework tips for struggling students can bring visible changes in academic life. 

Practice 

• Practicing maths daily ensures that you have not just memorized but also understood the underlying concepts. 
• For instance, memorizing can only make you copy-paste the steps in your exams. But when you encounter tricky questions, you won’t be able to understand which formula or calculation method you need to apply. 
• Setting a timetable that includes daily math practices can make you an expert in maths resulting in increased speed of answering questions and elevated confidence levels. 
• Try to practice on different topics so that you don’t feel exhausted while trying to learn the same repetitive things.

Breaking down

Trying to understand lengthy questions quickly will only leave you confused.  Try to break down complex problems into smaller parts. Divide the steps and only move ahead when you have fully understood what and why is happening in a certain step.

Teaching others 

Learning through teaching others is the best way to reflect on your practices as well. Try to explain your concept to a friend and examine yourself to encounter any difficulties while teaching. If you explain it smoothly, then congratulations you have aced in a topic of maths! 

Time Management 

• Time management plays a crucial role when you are trying to study maths. Spending long durations on a single question can restrict you from moving ahead and also leave you mentally drained. 
• To prevent these situations, try to make a timetable that has balanced study and activity periods. During your study hours, try to start with the initial chapters build a strong foundation on them, and then move forward. Granting yourself with breaks in between will help your mind stay active and you will perform better. 
• Consistent revisions will also ensure that you are done with your preparations and when you get homework, you can instantly solve them without feeling anxious. 
• Monitor the time you take to answer the questions and if it’s taking you too long, try to improve that time by constantly trying to practice on that question. 

Set Specific Goals 

Setting specific goals is the best way to observe your progress. 

• Start with a target of practicing one exercise daily. 

Achieving this goal will bring out a sense of motivation in you allowing you to put more effort into your homework.

• It is okay if you are so scared of maths that you can’t start studying it yet. Try to make goals with your homework.

Consider the completion of math homework as your daily goal. With time you can integrate exercises and chapters and study them routinely. 

Maintaining a positive mindset 

Working on maths comes with constant disappointments when you are not getting the correct answers after putting so much effort into a single question. These situations often lead to considering maths as a daunting task and you may start to feel discouraged.

This is why maintaining a positive mindset comes under the ways to understand math problems.

• When you make a mistake, don’t stop right there and consider it the end of the world. Instead, try to identify what caused it and where do you need to improve. Try a different method next time and keep trying until you get your desired answer. 

• When you finally get through the problem or complete your homework on your own, try to appreciate your progress, this will encourage you to become more proficient in maths. 

• Maths is a nightmare for students who face hurdles while trying to understand it but with a positive mindset that keeps you reminded that you can do it, you can master the skills needed to solve math problems. 

Conclusion 

Overcoming the anxiety of maths and becoming individually capable of solving your maths homework requires a combination of strategies and consistencies. It all starts with recognizing the actual reason for your fears and then prioritizing maths through practice, revisions, and utilizing your class notes. You need to tell yourself that you are not alone in this and if it gets too hard for you, you can get help from online resources such as Khan Academy or Chegg. However, if it feels too much to handle and math is just not your favorite subject, seek assistance from services such as ‘’Take A Class For Me’’.