Math Anxiety Stops Here!
The PLACe is committed to providing tutorial services for the academic achievement of Miramar College students in the areas of mathematics and science. To enhance students' performance, we offer one-on-one or group tutoring in pre-algebra, beginning and intermediate algebra, college algebra, statistics, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, differential equations, biology and chemistry.
The PLACe also provides supplemental instruction in beginning and intermediate algebra classes, and workshops on selected math topics. In addition, we also have supplementary materials for our math students: interactive computer tutorials, video tapes, audio tapes, most course textbooks and solutions manuals that students can use.
The PLACe also recognizes that many students may have math anxiety, and we are equipped to help students conquer their fears about math.
About Math Anxiety
Our tutors can help with your math anxiety. They've been trained to help you find ways to lower the stress and worry about math. They love math but understand it can be a challenge for students.
Math Anxiety Advice from Our Tutors:
Don't talk negatively to yourself. Act and talk to yourself with confidence.
Ask questions; never leave your math class with a problem unsolved
Consider math a foreign language, practice it
Don't memorize math.
READ your math text.
Know your own learning style in math.
Get help from your teachers as soon as you find a problem.
Be relaxed and comfortable while studying math.
"TALK" mathematics.
GET TUTORING
Math Anxiety Responsibilities for Students:
You are responsible to attend all your classes.
Get extra help if you need it.
See your professor during office hours.
Go to your classes prepared.
Speak up if you have a question.
GET TUTORING!
Math Anxiety Links:
Math and Science Study Skills Resources at The PLACe
Videotapes
Make Top Test Scores Every Time by Super Camp (30 min)
Improving Mathematics Studying and Test-Taking Skills (65 minutes)
A Tutor's Workshop: Students with Learning Disabilities (sections on Study Skills, Building Math Confidence, and Problem Solving Skills)
Books
Winning at Math by Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.
Math Study Skills Workbook by Paul D. Nolting, Ph.D.
Overcoming Math Anxiety by Randy Davidson and Ellen Levitov
Overcoming Math Anxiety by Sheila Tobias
Breaking the Science Barrier by Sheila Tobias and Carl T. Tomizuka
Math—Facing an American Phobia by Marilyn Burns
Software
Multimedia Study Skills by Cambridge Educational
Succeed in School by Kaplan
Tips for College Test Taking by Learning Skills Center
Using Your Biology Textbook by Learning Skills Center
Using Your Psychology Textbook by Learning Skills Center
Handouts
Mastering Math Anxiety
Math Study Skills Inventory
How To Study Math and Science
Learning Strategies Database
Workshops
Math and Science Study Skills
Math Anxiety
Math Handouts
The handouts below are from an outstanding web site created by Professor Paul Dawkins at Lamar University. He has very generously provided these for math students everywhere.
He only asks that you agree to his terms of use which basically says, don't try to make any money from them. Fair enough.
Class Notes
Course Reviews
Learning Objects (short FLASH files about various math skills)
Math 34
Sorting Out Math Symbols Students read about what different math symbols mean and identify them in a matching exercise.
Identifying Key Words in Math Problems Students read lists of the key words that direct them to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. They then identify them in an interactive exercise.
Understanding Place Value Students read about the place values of whole numbers. In an interactive exercise, they enter numbers in a chart to demonstrate their knowledge of place values and complete a matching exercise.
Understanding Rounding Students practice the skill of rounding.
Basic Terms in Division In this interactive object, the learner examines the basic terms used in division. A quiz completes the activity.
Long Division - Step-by-Step This learning object explains the steps in a long division problem. Students learn where to put the quotient and how to find it.
Order of Operations This activity shows students why the order of operations is necessary, what it is, and how it works. Students are given a mnemonic device for remembering the order, and they work through guided examples and practice problems.
Fraction Basics Students view illustrations of fractions and identify fractions.
Adding Fractions With Unlike Denominators Learners follow steps to add fractions with different denominators. They also review fraction concepts, do a drag-and-drop exercise involving fraction terms, and add fractions with common denominators.
Ratios and Proportions In this interactive object, learners simplify ratios and solve problems using proportions. All terms are defined.
Solving Percent Problems Using the Grid Method Students enter numbers in a grid to solve problems dealing with percentages.
Measuring Length in the Metric System In this interactive lesson, students read about how units in the metric system are related to each other and practice locating measurements on a metric line.
Math 38
Basic Terms in Division In this interactive object, the learner examines the basic terms used in division. A quiz completes the activity.
Long Division - Step-by-Step This learning object explains the steps in a long division problem. Students learn where to put the quotient and how to find it.
Fundamental Laws of Algebra Learners review the fundamental laws of algebra including the commutative law of addition, the commutative law of multiplication, the associative law of addition, the associative law of multiplication, and the distributive law. Examples are given.
Operations with Zero Learners review the basic math operations involving zero, emphasizing that division by zero is undefined. Examples are given.
Identifying Key Words in Math Problems Students read lists of the key words that direct them to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. They then identify them in an interactive exercise.
Calculating Exponents Learners read and hear about exponential terms. They then complete exercises using exponents.
Order of Operations This activity shows students why the order of operations is necessary, what it is, and how it works. Students are given a mnemonic device for remembering the order, and they work through guided examples and practice problems.
Unity Fractions/Unit Cancellation This lesson provides an explanation and practice using the unity fraction method of doing measurement and rate conversions. It also can be applied to problems of angular and linear velocity.
Adding and Subtracting a String of Signed Numbers Learners follow a step-by-step process for adding and subtracting multiple signed numbers. They then complete practice exercises.
The Rectangle In this animated activity, learners read about the properties of a rectangle and its components. They then work practice problems to find the perimeter and area of rectangles.
The Square In this animated activity, learners read about the properties of a square and its components. They then work practice problems to find the perimeter and area of squares.
The Triangle Learners examine the properties of a triangle and work practice problems to find a triangle's perimeter and area.
Multiplying and Dividing Signed Numbers Students read the rules used in multiplying and dividing signed numbers. They view examples and work practice problems.
Multiplication of a String of Signed Numbers Students read how to organize their work when multiplying more than two signed numbers. A review and practice problems complete the activity.
Difference Between -62 and (-6)2 The student reads review content and tests that knowledge.
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: Addition & Subtraction Learners read definitions of the terminology associated with algebraic operations and then follow steps to simplify algebraic expressions.
Solving Equations: Properties of Equality In this interactive object, learners examine the properties of equality and use those properties to solve simple equations.
Welcome to the World of Prime Numbers Using a chart on the screen and a calculator, the learner follows instructions to become familiar with and generate prime numbers between 1 and 100.
Least Common Multiple Learners practice a technique for finding the least common multiple of a group of numbers.
Adding Fractions With Unlike Denominators Learners follow steps to add fractions with different denominators. They also review fraction concepts, do a drag-and-drop exercise involving fraction terms, and add fractions with common denominators.
Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators In this animated and interactive object, learners view two examples of how to subtract fractions with unlike denominators and then work five similar problems.
Subtracting Mixed Number Fractions with Borrowing Students review examples of borrowing with mixed number fractions using the concept of borrowing the whole number 1. They then complete four practice problems.
Important Zeros Students assess which zeros are important to define a number and which zeros can be dropped.
Ratios and Proportions In this interactive object, learners simplify ratios and solve problems using proportions. All terms are defined.
Simplifying Ratios With Fractions The student views sample problems and then simplifies ratios in an interactive exercise.
Pythagorean Theorem The student uses the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle.
Changing a Decimal to a Fraction Students explore the steps used to change a decimal to a fraction and learn a method to visually check the fraction for accuracy.
Conversions: Fractions-Decimals- Percents Students recognize the conversions used among fractions, decimals, and percents
Conversions: Fractions-Decimals- Percents Pre-Test Students perform conversions among fractions, decimals, and percentages in this assessment.
Plotting Points on a Coordinate System Students identify points on a coordinate system.
How to Convert from One Unit to Another in the Metric System Students complete two exercises to practice converting from one metric unit to another.
Measuring Length in the Metric System In this interactive lesson, students read about how units in the metric system are related to each other and practice locating measurements on a metric line.
Math 46
An Introductory Algebraic Word Problem In this animated object, learners follow the steps for solving word problems using algebra. An introductory example is explained.
Unity Fractions/Unit Cancellation This lesson provides an explanation and practice using the unity fraction method of doing measurement and rate conversions. It also can be applied to problems of angular and linear velocity.
An Algebraic Word Problem Involving Motion: Case 1 In this animated and interactive object, learners use an algebraic formula to solve a problem involving distance, rate, and time.
Graphing a line You will practice graphing a line using the y-intercept and slope.
Writing equations of lines You can play a game to practice writing equations of lines.
Graphing an inequality You will practice graphing linear inequalities.
Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using the Substitution Method In a series of practice problems, learners use the substitution method to solve systems of linear equations, also called "simultaneous linear equations."
Scientific Notation - What is it? In this lesson, scientific notation is explained and demonstrated.
Scientific Notation - Converting Numbers Larger Than 1 to Scientific Notation The learner reads an explanation of scientific notation and practices expressing numbers larger than 1 in scientific notation.
Scientific Notation - Converting Numbers Smaller Than 1 to Scientific Notation The student reads an explanation of scientific notation and practices expressing numbers smaller than 1 in scientific notation.
Scientific Notation - Converting Scientific Notation to Ordinary Numbers The student reads an explanation of scientific notation and performs exercises to convert scientific notation to ordinary numbers.
Multiplying Monomials This activity provides instruction and practice problems on the multiplication of monomials.
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: Multiplication Learners read definitions of the terminology associated with algebraic operations and then follow steps to use the fundamental laws of multiplication to simplify algebraic expressions.
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: Division Learners read definitions of the terminology associated with algebraic operations and then follow steps to use the fundamental laws of division to simplify algebraic expressions.
Factoring a Quadratic Trinomial The learner factors an algebraic expression of the form AX(Squared) + BX + C, where the coefficient of the X squared term is not equal to 1.
Factoring by the Difference of Two Perfect Squares In this interactive object, students work problems using the difference of two perfect squares.
Simplifying Complex Fractions #1 In this animated activity, learners listen to instructions for simplifying a complex fraction by finding the least common denominator. This learning object requires a computer that is equipped with speakers.
An Algebraic Word Problem Involving Motion: Case 2 In this animated object, learners use an algebraic formula to solve the following problem: An airplane travels a certain distance with the wind in the same amount of time that it takes to travel a shorter distance against the wind. Given a constant wind speed, what is the speed of the plane without a wind?
The Rectangle In this animated activity, learners read about the properties of a rectangle and its components. They then work practice problems to find the perimeter and area of rectangles.
The Circle In this animated and interactive object, learners examine the definitions and formulas for radius, diameter, circumference, and area. Students also solve practice problems involving the circumference and area of a circle.
The Cube Learners study the properties of a cube and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Parallelogram In this animated activity, learners read the definition of a parallelogram and then find the perimeter and area of parallelograms in practice problems.
The Square In this animated activity, learners read about the properties of a square and its components. They then work practice problems to find the perimeter and area of squares
The Triangle Learners examine the properties of a triangle and work practice problems to find a triangle's perimeter and area.
Math 96
The Rectangular Solid Learners study the properties of a rectangular solid and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Regular Square Pyramid Learners study the properties of a regular square pyramid and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Right Circular Cone Learners study the properties of a right circular cone and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Right Circular Cylinder Learners study the properties of a right circular cylinder and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Sphere Learners study the properties of a sphere and use geometric formulas to find volume and surface area.
The Trapezoid In this interactive object, learners study the properties of a trapezoid and use a geometric formula to find its perimeter and area.
Absolute value equations You will solve equations containing one absolute value.
Absolute value equation quiz A short quiz on absolute value equations
Equations with 2 absolute values You will solve equations with two absolute values.
Info about absolute values Refresh your memory on rules for solving absolute value inequalities.
Solving absolute value inequalities You will practice solving absolute value inequalities.
Variation This learning object gives a description of direct, inverse, joint, quadratic, and combined variation, and walks the student through a problem of each type. The students learn to create the correct formula from the given problem as well as to solve it. There are also technical application problems given at the end for more practice.
Direct Variation This learning object walks the student through a direct variation problem.
Combined Variation This learning object walks the student through a combined variation problem.
Inverse Variation This learning object walks the student through an inverse variation problem.
Joint Variation This learning object walks the student through a joint variation problem.
Simplifying Square Roots The student simplifies square roots involving the product of a numeric and variable term.
Simplifying Radicals In this animated object, learners follow a process for simplifying radicals.
Right Triangles That Are Special: Using the Pythagorean Theorem Students apply the Pythagorean Theorem to isosceles and equilateral triangles. It is recommended that students complete the Pythagorean Theorem Learning Object before completing this one.
Complete the Square This lesson visually guides the learner step by step through the process of 'completing the square' as a method of solving quadratic equations.
Calculating the Determinant of a 2x2 Matrix The student calculates the determinant of a 2x2 matrix.
Cramer's Rule Students solve systems of two linear equations in two unknowns by determinants.
Determinant of the Third Order The student evaluates the determinant of a 3 X 3 matrix.
