Saturday, March 28, 2020

How Important Is It To Get Your SAT Chemistry Released Exam To Pass?

How Important Is It To Get Your SAT Chemistry Released Exam To Pass?Many people who are worried about getting their SAT Chemistry released exam to pass have been asking whether it is necessary to get the exam tested beforehand. The answer to this question will depend on your personality, aptitude and preparation.If you are an analytical person, then getting your SAT Chemistry released exam is not a good idea for you. This kind of test requires more logic skills and problem solving than other kinds of tests. If you do not have the skills to solve a problem using logic, you will not be able to score high on this test. If you lack such skills, you will definitely fail in your exam.Getting the test beforehand will allow you to prepare for the exam. You will be more prepared and you will be better equipped to score higher than you otherwise would have. You will not have to go through the mental stress that comes with the anticipation of sitting for the exam.If you already have a regular p ractice of taking the SAT, then you will not need to use the practice exam. This will help you to focus on the answers you need to get correct instead of focusing on the mistakes you make when trying to make your test score higher.Using this knowledge, you will know which areas of study are important for you to improve on, so that you can tackle the SAT properly. This will enable you to focus on the areas that you need to improve on. Using this will also help you to think of how to prepare your study material.Getting your SAT Chemistry released exam to pass is not an easy task. If you are an analytical type, then this test is not for you. You will have to analyze the test questions ahead of time to make sure that you will be able to solve the problems on your own.You will have to do this even before the actual exam day if you want to pass the test. If you want to avoid worrying about getting your SAT Chemistry released exam to pass, then it is better to get the test in advance and p repare yourself ahead of time.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Top Ten Exam Survival Tips!

Top Ten Exam Survival Tips! A recent article on NewStatesman (http://www.newstatesman.com/education/2014/05/laurie-penny-how-pass-your-damn-exams) has criticised exams, stating that they are a 'pointless waste of time' and that the key to passing them is how well you 'play the system'. The article claims that a good exam technique can count as much as years of focused study! So what are the steps to beating the system and getting a good result? Inspired by this article, we've written up a 10 step guide: 1 - Prepare your weapons (NewStatesman Tip) Basically be prepared for your exam! Have a good night sleep, eat a stable breakfast, pack your bag in advance. And don't be afraid to take in anything you believe brings you luck. This is a way of tricking your brain into understanding it's going to have to do something that requires a LOT of focus! Arrive early, bring spare pens, and have a last minute read through your notes. Short term memory is a powerful tool. 2 - Timing, timing, timing Revise for 10 minutes, break for 10 minutes. Revise for 20 minutes, break for 10 minutes, and so on. If your concentration holds then work for longer before taking your break. You have to be strict with yourself! Twittering and texting for 3 hours isn't going to help!Sticking to 10 minutes per break will keep you fresh and improve your concentration when you go back to your revision! 3 - Know your enemy (NewStatesman Tip) Know how your paper will be structured, and plan how long you'll have to answer each section. The number of marks awarded for each section will determine how much time you should spend on that part. Allow some time to read through the whole paper and to plan your answers roughly. Also allow 5 minutes at the end of the paper to read through your answers. Practicing past papers is the number one way to prepare for an exam you're worried about. ''You can't run a marathon without practice''. It's also important to practice writing with a pen, rather than typing your answers! 4 - When you work, work! And when you play, play! The two simply don't mix! Don't log on to your computer with the intention of revising and get lost in a social time warp for 3 hours. When you are revising, close down all other windows and focus entirely on your work. Don't be tempted by anything else. You can implement tip number 2 here.You can't have a revision page open at the same time as your chosen social network and expect to revise successfully. 5 - Beat them at their own game (NewStatesman Tip) The NewStatesman article states that this is the most important of all. This step is simply realising that your education continues outside of the exam hall. Education is about asking questions, thinking for yourself, reading widely - not just giving right answers. Once you realise that exams aren't the key to happiness and education, you have beaten the system. 6 - Reward yourself! Lay out your textbook and choose where you would like to be able to revise up to. The next paragraph? A whole chapter? Half a book? Mark these increments with small treats! A jelly baby at the end of this paragraph. A gummy bear at the end of the chapter. Your phone at the end of the book! You'll be surprised how well you can revise (and how quickly!) when you know you will be rewarded for your efforts. 7 - Organise your space Make sure you have enough space to spread your material out. Is there enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your distractions out of sight? Make yourself as comfortable and able to focus as you can. For some this can mean complete silence, whilst others will find it helpful to have some background music. Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right! 8 - Visual aids Write down everything you need to know about your subject on cards, and highlight the important parts. Stick these in places you know you'll see them often in the run up to your exam. For example on the fridge, your bedroom wall, inside your locker, the bathroom mirror - anywhere and everywhere you know you will see them. The more often you see your notes, the more revision you are tricking yourself into having! 9 - Eat brain food! Stay away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, but what you eat can really impact your energy levels and focus! Instead of reaching for the ice cream choose nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory. These include fish, nuts, seeds, yogurts and berries. The same applies on exam day! Eat a good meal that will release its energy slowly. Sugar may be appealing, but it won't help when your energy levels crash an hour or so later. 10 - Revise actively Just reading through your notes isn't making the most of that wonderful brain of yours. Make up poems, set them to music, write a limerick or make up a quiz. Be creative! The more of your brain you can engage in revision the more you will remember. Use the different parts of your memory to your advantage. Verbal memory, visual memory, audio memory, even muscle memory can help you to remember those all important facts! So there you have it! A step by step guide on how to beat the exams. What are your top tips for revision and exams? Does your tutor help you to revise? Join in the discussion! Read the NewStatesman full article here: http://www.newstatesman.com/education/2014/05/laurie-penny-how-pass-your-damn-exams

How to transition back into teaching at home after teaching abroad

How to transition back into teaching at home after teaching abroad Back in 2012, I had the life-changing opportunity to teach Tibetan refugees living in India. Before leaving Canada, I knew very little about Tibet or Tibetan culture. Teaching in a Tibetan school definitely took a little while to get used to! For example, the classroom didn’t have desks - instead, the students sat on the floor around low tables. The most advanced classroom technology they had was a chalkboard. Although it was an adjustment, I quickly adapted to the Tibetan education system. Teaching abroad is a great experience - but only a minority of teachers teach abroad for their whole careers. While most teachers expect that moving to a foreign country will be a shock and a challenge to begin with, what they often fail to realize is that coming back home can be just as difficult. This sense of reverse culture shock can be even more overwhelming when faced with constant new technologies and changes in teaching methods in your home country. Teachers abroad, thinking about making the transition back home? Below are some tips that can help you to readjust to teaching in your home country. Take advantage of as many professional development opportunities as possible. Best practices in education are always changing. You might not have kept up with your home country’s teaching trends while you were away. That’s OK! Most school districts offer professional development workshops after school that are offered to teachers for free. The right teacher professional development can make all the difference in helping you get back up to speed on the latest teaching standards. Get your classroom technology skills up to date. If you taught abroad in a school that embraced technology, this won’t be an issue. If you worked in a school like mine, however, you might find yourself feeling lost with all the new technology trends out there. Spend some time online looking up the latest educational apps and tools - EdSurge, for example, has a handy database of classroom tech product reviews. Ask your colleagues for advice on what works for them in the classroom and to give you a demo of their favorite classroom tech tools. From experience, I know how great it feels to trade in the chalk for the iPad! Brush up on classroom management strategies. Students abroad likely have a few different behaviors and tendencies compared to students in your own country. As a teacher, you know that classroom management is a delicate balancing act, so you may need to readjust your strategies to meet the needs of students back home. Share your experience. This tip may be the most important of all. Your experience abroad likely changed you, both as a person and a teacher. Find ways to share what you learned about new cultures and life experiences with your students and colleagues. When I returned, I made sure to share my newfound knowledge on Indian and Tibetan culture with my students. I also decorated my classroom with cultural artifacts from my time abroad. Students loved to find out the story behind these objects and enjoyed learning about a culture different from their own. Just like you adjusted to your life abroad, you will readjust to teaching at home. It may feel a little strange at first, but remember, you’re returning with a wealth of new knowledge and experience that will make you an even stronger educator than when you left.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Positive link between literary activity and mental health - Tutor Hunt Blog

Positive link between literary activity and mental health Positive link between literary activity and mental health Positive link between literary activity and mental healthSchoolsNew research from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) charity has made a strong case for a positive link between literary activity and mental health. The report claims that those school pupils who enjoy reading, and engage in writing for pleasure, are three times as likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing than their peers who find the activities a chore. Statistics in the report disclose that 39.4 per cent of the pupils who enjoyed reading and writing had high levels of mental health and wellbeing, compared to just 11.8 per cent of who died not enjoy the activity. The report makes the bold claim that those children who are less engaged in reading in writing will be more likely to struggle with mental health. More than 50,000 children were polled in the survey, with the results showing that 40.3 per cent of those children with higher than expected reading skills had above average levels of mental wellbeing; while just 13.1 percent of those children with lower than expected reading skills had comparable levels of wellbeing. Members of the National Literary Trust were quick to stress to vital importance of reading and writing in children`s lives: `Children and young people today face a multitude of pressures at school, at home and in their social lives.` Jonathan Douglas, the director of the NLT, went on to say that teachers and parents must do all they can to encourage children to develop good literary skills: `It is imperative that we do everything we can to enable our children to develop the resilience they need to cope with life`s challenges ? and our latest research shows that the joys of reading and writing can be hugely beneficial.` The report had some interesting, and disconcerting, information about how able children were at dealing with stress and anxiety in their lives. It found that more than a quarter didn`t know how to adequately deal with stress, and that more than one in five children were unhappy with their life. The importance of reading in a child`s cognitive development has been understood for decades. Stories help enrich and develop a child`s imagination - they give them the opportunity to imagine themselves in a multitude of different scenarios, testing and expanding their moral compass , while allowing them to emphasise with different characters in the story. The general secretary of school leaders` union NAHT Paul Whitman, who recently replaced Russell Hobby, recently commented on the report: `The importance of reading for pleasure is well understood. Schools devote time to this, to allow pupils to become lost in a good book, as the saying goes.` `But this time is in danger of getting lost now, too. Changes to the curriculum and higher stakes tests and exams mean that reading for pleasure can be squeezed out of the school day. `This disadvantages low income families the most, because school is a point of free access to books and often those children who would benefit the most from reading for pleasure don`t have that many books at home to choose from.` The report discloses that pupils in Greater London, the North East, and the West Midlands had the highest levels of mental wellbeing, compared to children in the South West and Yorkshire who had the lowest. I have not had an opportunity to read the report for myself at the time of writing - it seems to be too elusive for my acquisition. Of course reading and writing are important for a child`s development - it enriches their very thought processes, widens their vocabulary, and of course is thoroughly entertaining! I suspect the link between mental health and literacy activity will have to be researched more fully, before any definitive claims can be made. After all, some of the most famous writers are well known for being amongst the most morose of characters! 17 months ago0Add a Comment

Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math

Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Laiba Yousafzai, 11, Level O Math 11-year-old Laiba has been enrolled in the Kumon Math Program for just over two years. During her time at Kumon, she has not only gained a sense of independence, but also a level of confidence in math that has helped her achieve her academic goals. In just two short years, she went from starting at Kumon Math Level A, and is now on Level O studying differential calculus! She has even set a goal of completing the program within two years! Laiba has taken the skills she’s learned in Kumon and has helped her classmates solve complicated math problems. By helping her peers, she is laying down the foundation for one day achieving her dream of becoming a high school math teacher. Laiba may be academically advanced for her age, but just like any other 11-year-old girl, she enjoys keeping busy with extracurricular activities. Not only is she competitive on the soccer field and basketball court, she is also an active member in the school choir and art club. Talk about a well-rounded kid! Because of her accomplishments both in-and-out of the classroom, she was just one of 56 Kumon Students from the United States, Canada and Mexico to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had a chance to talk to Laiba about her experience with Kumon and how she enjoys being challenged in math. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? I started seeing the benefits of Kumon when I first started the program. I also wanted to go to Kumon because I saw my older brother Umar attend and he saw great results. I was having trouble with my grade level in math and I saw Kumon as a great opportunity. When I started Kumon, I noticed myself enjoying and excelling much more than I was in the past. I’m studying at a higher level in math alongside my sisters Amna and Shabano, which once seemed impossible.   How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has given me the skills to be an independent learner and not having to rely on anyone for help. I realized that no matter what, all your hard work will pay-off in the end. Kumon has also taught me to learn from my mistakes.   Laiba shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe How has Kumon helped you in the classroom? Kumon has taught me new math skills that I am able to take back to the classroom and teach my classmates.   Describe an “a-ha” moment at Kumon when you got it? My “a-ha” moment was when I first started doing negative numbers and fractions. At the time, I had just started on Kumon Level G in Math, so it became confusing. In that level, I had to add negative numbers, which I did, but I got all the questions wrong. I went back to the questions that I did get right and compared them to the questions I got wrong. As soon as I compared them, I realized that I had been using an incorrect method to solve the questions that I had gotten wrong. I felt proud of myself for figuring out how to understand a new concept without quitting and asking for help.   What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? If you need help, first look at the example and give it a try by yourself to learn how to be independent. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills This Young Kumon Student Learned To Love New Challenges in Math This Young Artist Gained Her Confidence With Kumon Discover How This Student Learned to Love New Challenges Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Discover How This Young Student Has Gained Independence in Math Laiba Yousafzai, 11, Level O Math 11-year-old Laiba has been enrolled in the Kumon Math Program for just over two years. During her time at Kumon, she has not only gained a sense of independence, but also a level of confidence in math that has helped her achieve her academic goals. In just two short years, she went from starting at Kumon Math Level A, and is now on Level O studying differential calculus! She has even set a goal of completing the program within two years! Laiba has taken the skills she’s learned in Kumon and has helped her classmates solve complicated math problems. By helping her peers, she is laying down the foundation for one day achieving her dream of becoming a high school math teacher. Laiba may be academically advanced for her age, but just like any other 11-year-old girl, she enjoys keeping busy with extracurricular activities. Not only is she competitive on the soccer field and basketball court, she is also an active member in the school choir and art club. Talk about a well-rounded kid! Because of her accomplishments both in-and-out of the classroom, she was just one of 56 Kumon Students from the United States, Canada and Mexico to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had a chance to talk to Laiba about her experience with Kumon and how she enjoys being challenged in math. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? I started seeing the benefits of Kumon when I first started the program. I also wanted to go to Kumon because I saw my older brother Umar attend and he saw great results. I was having trouble with my grade level in math and I saw Kumon as a great opportunity. When I started Kumon, I noticed myself enjoying and excelling much more than I was in the past. I’m studying at a higher level in math alongside my sisters Amna and Shabano, which once seemed impossible.   How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has given me the skills to be an independent learner and not having to rely on anyone for help. I realized that no matter what, all your hard work will pay-off in the end. Kumon has also taught me to learn from my mistakes.   Laiba shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe How has Kumon helped you in the classroom? Kumon has taught me new math skills that I am able to take back to the classroom and teach my classmates.   Describe an “a-ha” moment at Kumon when you got it? My “a-ha” moment was when I first started doing negative numbers and fractions. At the time, I had just started on Kumon Level G in Math, so it became confusing. In that level, I had to add negative numbers, which I did, but I got all the questions wrong. I went back to the questions that I did get right and compared them to the questions I got wrong. As soon as I compared them, I realized that I had been using an incorrect method to solve the questions that I had gotten wrong. I felt proud of myself for figuring out how to understand a new concept without quitting and asking for help.   What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? If you need help, first look at the example and give it a try by yourself to learn how to be independent. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: This Young Student Gets Competitive With Her Math Skills This Young Kumon Student Learned To Love New Challenges in Math This Young Artist Gained Her Confidence With Kumon Discover How This Student Learned to Love New Challenges

How Online Computer Science Taught Courses Can Help Students Succeed

How Online Computer Science Taught Courses Can Help Students SucceedIf you're a clueless coder, then you need to consider getting tutoring from an expert in computer science. The online programs allow students to learn the skills they will use in a real world situation. As a result, your education will become more lucrative and can help you be competitive at work as well.Online tutoring is fast and convenient, saving time and money. With the help of computer technology, it's possible to find a program that is most suited to your particular skill level.Getting a grasp of coding and computer technology requires some real world experience. If you've never worked with computers before, then you might want to take an introductory class or tutorial. A computer science teacher may also be able to guide you to other kinds of classes that are in-depth, hands-on and will prepare you for any jobs you may be looking to do.While online courses aren't a substitute for working in the real world, th ey can be a valuable addition. If you have more time, you might want to enroll in a study abroad program and visit an international university. The only drawback with online courses is that you'll miss out on class time and interaction with classmates.To get started, you will need to sign up with a teacher and find a virtual classroom, which can be accessed via a website or mobile device. Choose a curriculum that best suits your learning style.Online education offers benefits to both the teacher and the student. There are no long term commitments or exams, which means you can complete the courses anytime you want and without worry. The biggest advantage is that your education will be a lot more productive.If you're interested in learning computer science but you're just starting out, consider taking an online course. It might just help you become more successful.

College Guidance and Ignatian Tutoring

College Guidance and Ignatian TutoringThe Ignatian tutoring experience is a student that will pay attention and be on time to their classes. They are serious about learning and will work hard to excel in their courses. They will respond well to the curriculum, regardless of whether it is a traditional or a Catholic school. The Ignatian university does offer a high quality education for all students regardless of socioeconomic background.When choosing an Ignatian university, the student must consider the financial aid that the school offers, how the school's curriculum and programs compare to those of other institutions, and whether or not the school offers internships or job placements to help graduates from an Ignatian university to get a job. Even if a student already has a college degree, it would be beneficial to a student to attend a school with a solid academic curriculum. If a student is applying for a job and wants to make sure they have good skills and a strong grasp of the technical language, a prestigious university with a strong academic curriculum is the way to go.Providence University also offers a quality education and makes the top ten list for highest acceptance rate for students to campus with the standard testing criteria. Students who attend the school enjoy the benefits of a rigorous curriculum, an excellent campus life and competitive athletics.Providence University offers online learning programs and an accelerated degree program to help graduates obtain their degree at a faster pace. This is another great advantage to a student attending a university such as Providence University, one that is very easy to access by a student who lives out of state.Whether a student is attending college or a vocational school to finish their educational experience, they must know that their education is essential to a job, whether it is looking for a position as a physical therapist, or as a teacher. There are many options available to a student, and each option has advantages and disadvantages.Ignatian tutoring, when chosen wisely, can make the difference between failure and success. It is important for students to choose a tutoring service that is a personal favorite of their parents, or they will just have trouble getting the most out of their Ignatian tutoring. It is also important for students to select a tutoring service that has a reputation for excelling in their tutoring services, as this will show a student that they are a good tutor.To ensure that a student is using the right program, Ignatian is committed to assisting students to get the most out of their tutoring experience. Ignatian tutoring services are offered through their website and by attending Ignatian campus events. These activities are organized by the Ignatian department and have helped Ignatian to build its name in tutoring and academic assistance.

SAT Study

7 Ways to Support Your Student's ACT/SAT Study The ACT and the SAT are important components of any college application. However, it can sometimes prove difficult to convince your child to adequately prep for them even if he or she is normally an A+ student! While studying for the ACT or the SAT is ultimately your childs responsibility, there are ways to encourage your students efforts. Here are seven ways to support your students ACT/SAT study: 1. Help your student find the right study materials Regardless of whether your child registers for the ACT or the SAT, prep materials (like the ACT practice testsand these SAT practice tests) are a must-have. You can help find them by taking your student to a bookstore or conducting research online. Your child's guidance counselor and teachers may also be able to recommend specific resources, so encourage your student to visit these individuals as soon as possible. This willhelp your studentanalyze practice test results. [RELATED: What is an Average ACT Score?] 2. Ensure a quiet study space This might mean turning the television off or reminding your family to keep their voices low. If your child prefers to study at the library, it might also mean offering him or her a ride to and from the chosen prep spot. 3. Encourage your student to study regularly Ask your child about his or her study schedule, and prompt them to pull out their review materials if they tend to procrastinate or forget. These are some great tips on how to avoid study distractions. If your child hasnt settled on a prep schedule yet, helping them create one is a great way to support their ACT/SAT study. You may also want to consider a test prep tutorto help your child. 4. Register for the test together This process can be confusing, and it often requires a credit card number. Registering for the ACT or SAT with your student will provide a concrete prep deadline, which may encourage your child to further commit to his or her study regimen. 5. Assist with timing Another way to support your students ACT/SAT study is to help replicate the testing environment. Whenever your child completes a practice exam, you can assist by manning the timer and simulating true testing conditions. This can be especially useful for those students who may need to work on remaining focused. It can also limit unnecessary breaks. Early in the prep process, your student may require additional time to finish a full exam, and this is perfectly fine. Simply track the extra minutes, and monitor his or her improvement over time. You can also offer time management strategies if he or she continues to struggle in this area. 6. Ask for progress reports Ensure your child can answer the question, What have you been working on? Encourage your student to study the more difficult concepts, rather than just the individual problems that they may have answered incorrectly. You can also ask your child to record his or her practice test scores in a central location. Not only does this allow you to measure your childs readiness for the ACTor SAT, it also helps your student gauge their own abilities. [RELATED: What is an Average SAT Score?] 7. Talk through stress factors If your child suffers from test anxiety, talk through exactly what they fear on the ACT or SAT. Assure your child that you will supportthem no matter what the score, and be clear and reasonable with your expectations. Teaching your child relaxation techniques is another way you can support your students ACT/SAT study during a stressful time.

Maths Help Understanding Maths Equations

Maths Help Understanding Maths Equations Learn Maths: How to Solving Equations ChaptersWhat is an Equation?Skills Needed to Solve Maths EquationsWhen do we Learn about Maths Equations?Solving a Linear EquationSolving a Factorised EquationMaths Equations with FractionsCreating Equations to Solve ProblemsMaths is often represented as a tricky topic â€" by both students and adults alike! However, this little loved subject forms a fundamental part of your education, and if you can master it, you’re well on your way to succeeding academically!For as long as you’re studying for qualifications (maths revision GCSE, A levels, degrees…) you won’t escape having to solve maths problems: starting from the basics of arithmetic, and then moving onto solving equations, algebra, geometry, and fractions problems!Later in your studies, your maths skills will let you adopt a problem-solving mindset and improve your mental faculties, helping you succeed at the task you’re completing, regardless of whether or not it’s directly related to maths!With all of this in mind, it’s time to revisit one of the key areas in maths that you’ll encounter time and time again: solving equations!With your calculator to hand and a little determination, you will make it to the end of this article on how to solve an equation. By the time we’re finished, amongst other things, you’ll be able to tackle your next maths problem with ease, whether it involves polynomials, linear equations, factoring or anything in between!Your maths teacher at school (or your private maths tutor) will give you the skills that will serve you every day, for the rest of your life.Here are some aspects that are key to adopting this problem-solving attitude:Being thoroughYou must be thorough and follow through with all the key steps when tackling a mathematical problem: particularly one including equations. When you find yourself faced with maths problems, or an exam, you must be precise, and act methodically and logically.Have a good memoryImprove your skills with maths worksheets! Pra ctise makes perfect! (Source: Pixabay)Mathematicians have to work with their memory! If you practise regularly, you’ll be able to make the link between the topics you’ve studied in class, and their application in solving a problem given to you. Tackling a variety of problems means something like a problem you’ve seen before is more likely to come up, and with your prior experience, it’ll be much easier to solve.Be organised!To solve an equation, you need to follow a set of stages. Being organised in your work environment, and your approach to problems, will allow you to overcome each maths problem put in front of you without panicking.When do we Learn about Maths Equations?During primary school, we learn how to count, and familiarise ourselves with mental maths. We start to add numbers, subtract them, and multiply them: the basics of arithmetic. We may even learn the basics of graphing - these teachings provide us with a foundation in mathematics, and the skills we will need to begin solving equations later on.Some exponential and quadratic equations can be solved by graphing (Source: Pexels)It’s usually in secondary school that linear equations slowly start to creep into the curriculum. In year 7, we learn to solve simple equations, normally with one unknown. Here’s an example of an equation you might tackle around this time: Here, you must find the unknown: ‘x’.By the time you get to year 8 and 9, fractions and negative numbers start appearing in equations: preparing you for GCSEs and A levels. The equations can now look something like this: At GCSE and A level, the calibre of maths problems increases, and you have to solve more complex equations, including systems of equations, by using a variety of techniques: completing the square, factoring, substitution, and finding the intercept on graphs - to name but a few! If you do some further study in maths at A level, you will also encounter topics like complex numbers.The types of problem don’ t stop there, though: if you decide to study a maths or science degree at university, you’ll meet even more difficult problems!Sometimes you will encounter one step equations, and you might be able to solve some of the equations below like this, but you’ll often encounter trickier multi-step equations which will test your knowledge of several mathematical areas: perhaps your graphing calculator knowledge, your knowledge of slopes, or how to solve simultaneous equations by elimination or substitution! MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSolving a Linear EquationLinear equations are likely the first type of equation you’ll encounter during your studies, and are usually the easiest to solve.Essentially, solving a linear equation only requires the four kinds of calculation we’ve been familiar with since primary school: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.If you want to solve a linear equation with one unknown, your goal is simple: you must find the value of ‘x’. This is usually called “solving for 'x'” in maths lingo.For a simple equation, you can take the following steps: • Isolate the unknown (usually ‘x’) on one side of the equation • Group any common terms together • Divide through so that any coefficients of ‘x’ are removed • State your solutionTo give you an example, here are the steps you would take for the equation... Moving 'x' onto one side of the equation: ‘x’ has been isolated on one side of the equationWe’ve grouped common terms together - this is known as collecting like termsWe’ve removed the coefficient of ‘x’ by dividing both sides by 4.Congratulations! You now have the skills required to solve one of the most famous linear equations in the history of mathematics: the epitaph of the mathematician Diophantus of Alexandria.The epitaph gives an equation, and the solution to this equation is the age of Diophantus when he died. The tomb dates from the 3rd century!Being able to solve linear equations is the cornerstone of your equations knowledge, and you must practise it again and again until you’re completely sound on the subject. Better get started!Solving a Factorised EquationFactorised equations are a form of polynomial equations. and you will often see them as quadratic equations (at least up to AS level!).Essentially, the equation takes the form:‘x’ is always the unknown variable, while a,b,c, and d are numbers given in the problem. During your maths lessons, your teacher has probably told you something like this:A product of factors is zero if, and only if, at least one of the factors is zero.To check this is true, you must solve every equation with a factor of ‘x’ in it!We can’t repeat this enough: the best way of learning to solve equations is to practise!Here’s an example of a factorised equation, with its solution:The two factors correspond to the two expressions in parentheses. Just so we’re clear on the terminology, the “coefficients of 'x'” that we spoke about earlier are 3 and 2, in this example. To solve it, we must consider both sets of parentheses. We’ll go left to right, and once again we’ll solve for our unknown ‘x’:(because our equation must be equal to 0 for the product of the factors to equal 0) And the other set of parentheses... (because our equation must be equal to 0 for the product of the factors to equal 0)And removing coefficients of 'x'... Since there are two factors, that means there are two solutions for ‘x’ - this is sometimes called a solution set. We just found them both! ‘x’ can either be -4/3 or 5/2.Being able to solve quadratic equations is essential as you progress. If you can’t solve quadratic equations, you will struggle with higher order equations. Maybe you need to refresh your knowledge on how to solve linear equations first?Maths Equations with FractionsStruggle with equations? Perhaps some maths tutoring could help! (Source: Pixabay)We have a rule for equations with fractions in, too! Here’s the rule:A fraction is zero if, and only if, its numerator is zero and its denominator is not zero.You could be faced with an equation in the following form: To solve an equation like this with a fraction in, you should: • Exclude forbidden values: this means values which cancel out the denominator • Simplify everything so it’s over the same denominator • Put everything onto one side of the equation, so the other side is equal to zero • Solve the equation • Verify that the values you have aren’t forbidden valuesHere’s an example of solving an equation with fractions in. We’ll be using a technique called cross products to remove the fractions altogether. We start with this equation: Let's start by removing the fractions:Just like in our linear equation example, I multiplied  both sides by (x+1). This means that on the left hand side, I now multiply by (x+1) and then immediately divide by (x+1). And just like in our previous example, that means they cancel each other out, and I can remove them from the equation altogether: So, it's starting to look a lot nicer already: I've now got a single 'x' on one side, removed one fraction, and we're well on our way to solving this problem. Let's also get rid of the fraction on the right hand side, using the same method: Removing the fraction on the right hand side means this all simplifes to something much nicer: Now, we need to set our equation equal to zero. We could divide through by (x-1)(x+1), but then we'd end up with a fraction again! Instead, we can expand out the contents of each set of parentheses. To do this, we multiply everything inside the parentheses by everything immediately outside of it. This is easy for the left hand side, as we only have to multiply by x: becomes... Because both of these expressions are equivalent (as equalities, they are equal), we don't need to change the right hand side, as we've just rewritten the left hand side: it still  means the same thing. See our GCSE Maths Revision article for more help with this.The right hand side is a little trickier, but follows the same principle. The contents of each set of parentheses needs to be multiplied by the contents of the the other set of parentheses. Here's a diagram: The red lines show us multiplying 'x' in from the first parentheses, and the blue lines show us multiplying '-1' from the first parentheses.This l eaves us with the following expressions, starting with the 'x' in the first bracket: And now multiplying '-1' in the first bracket: So those are all the terms of the brackets on the right hand side, once they've been expanded. Now we can combine those into one expression, which represents the right hand side of the original equation: Let's put these two expressions back into our original equation: Again, this is exactly the same as what we started with, we've just removed the factored parentheses. Next, we'll put anything with an x or x^2 onto the left hand side of the equation: And collect like terms. In the equation above, I've done the same to the left hand side as the right hand side of the equation, so we'll tidy everything up: So the last step should be pretty easy. We need to remove our coefficient of 'x': -1/2 isn’t a forbidden value, so the solution is x = -1/2. Notice how despite this starting as a quadratic equation (because there’s an exponent of two on some of the ‘x’ terms), they cancel each other out, so we only have one solution.It is possible to have an equation with no solution!A fractional equation problem can include all of the same concepts as we’ve mentioned before, including: quadratic equations, exponents, rational and irrational numbers.Creating Equations to Solve ProblemsSometimes, you might be asked to form an equation for a given problem. Don’t worry, this isn’t as bad as it sounds, you’re essentially making your own word problems!The method is simple, and you only need to make sure you’re thorough to ensure you get the correct answer:Read the problem several times to make sure you understand itDetermine the unknown (or unknowns) which correspond to a number asked for by the questionTry and rewrite the problem in mathematical terms, removing any superfluous informationSolve the equation you just foundCheck the solution is correctState your equation as a solution to the problemSometimes you’ll be asked a questio n like this in the context of a geometry problem â€" don’t worry, the steps are the same, just make sure to brush up on your geometry lessons beforehand!Here’s an example of a question you might be asked, where you have to form an equation from the given scenario:“Three cousins, John, Tim and Sally, have a combined age of 60. What is the age of each person, knowing that Sally is three times as old as Tim, and that John is 10 years younger than Sally?”In this problem, the unknowns to find are the ages of the three cousins, and this can be done with the help of some equations. See if you can solve it!There are several options available to you if you want to improve, or perfect, your maths skills: whether that be brushing up on your equations knowledge, or learning something new about geometry!All of the examples we looked at today dealt with rational numbers, and did not feature inequalities. However, inequalities are solved in the same way, simply replacing the equals sign wi th the equality sign of your choice. Why are equations and inequalities important? They serve as the building blocks of your maths knowledge, and are essential when you begin studying calculus, and maybe even matrices! Knowing that you can effectively deal with problems involving integers, decimals, rational numbers, and different types of equation: whether they’re exponential equations, solving quadratics, or systems of linear equations will be invaluable as you progress further into the world of maths!Private tuition with a home maths tutor will allow you to progress. They can explain tricky topics like equations at your own pace, using methods tailored to your learning style.Revising regularly and producing revision materials, or following maths lessons online and on YouTube, in tandem with private maths tuition will help you achieve your best in maths!Learn how to graph functions or discover the list of  unsolved maths equations.