How to approach difficult Maths questions
A clear first-step strategy for the moments when you do not know where to begin.
Read for what the question actually asks
Before calculating, find the requested answer: a length, an angle, a probability, an explanation or something else. Then identify the information you have been given.
Watch for units, diagram labels and instructions about rounding. If there are several parts, an earlier answer may provide information needed later.
Make the information easier to see
A sketch, a small table or a clearly labelled expression can help organise a problem. You do not need a perfect drawing; you need a representation that makes the relationships easier to understand.
Write down anything relevant you already know. That might be a formula, a fact about angles or the total number of outcomes. It is a way into the question, even if you cannot yet see the final answer.
Choose one sensible step
Ask what you can find from the information available. In a multi-step problem, the first calculation often produces something needed for the next calculation.
Keep working legible and include enough reasoning for someone else to follow. A line of working is more useful when you can explain why you wrote it.
- What am I trying to find?
- What information do I already have?
- What relationship connects the two?
- Does the result fit the context?
Check, and move on when appropriate
Look back at the original question. Have you answered it in the requested units and format? A quick estimate can help spot a misplaced decimal point or an implausible result.
In an exam, make a sensible decision about time. If you are stuck, leaving clear working and returning later may be more helpful than spending all your time on one question.