Let’s say, you are asked to solve a mathematical equation. What is the first step? You will first write down or remember the formula that’s necessary for solving that particular problem. If the formula isn’t handy, you won’t be able to proceed further, no matter what.
In order to score well in Maths and Physics, one of the important factors includes remembering all the formulas, theorems, and derivations. Even though you understand them, you need to ensure that these formulas are retained by your brain and that only comes with diligently solving the problems again and again. But, don’t worry. In this article, we bring you expert methods to remember maths and physics formulas easily, and how to find important questions from each chapter.
Don’t Simply Memorize
Now, when it comes to formulas, you probably think what is there to even understand or grasp here? You just mug up the formulas and use them as and when required. No, that’s not the right approach. Yes, when it comes to the formulas, you must memorize them as they are. But, understanding what the formula is all about, where and how you can use them will help you retain them better.
Another method that helps you remember the formulas better is practice. Keep solving, again and again, every day and these formulas will be a piece of cake. But remember, don’t do anything without understanding the complete concept. That’s what is important. Maths and physics are such subjects that the same topics will be explained in a deeper manner year after year. So for example, let’s say you start trigonometry in class 8, this topic will even be present in class 12. But in a more extensive manner. Therefore, when you learn it in class 8, it is important that you remember the formulas as their importance will continue all through your academic years.
Make Notes
Making notes just for your formulas, theorems, and derivations is a great idea as you can go back and refer to them every single day. Now, these notes must be methodological. Let’s say, you are jotting down all the formulas of trigonometry, you even add an explanation as to why, where, and how that particular formula is used. This will help you retain the information when you go through it every day. If you just write the formulas, no doubt you will be able to memorize them, but it can get confusing as to where and how they are used. Also, keep a separate notebook for maths and physics.
Flashcards
Another trick to learn the formulas is to create flashcards. In fact, you can make your own cards or use a digital medium for the trick. You can also take the help of your parents or a friend where they can quiz you with the help of your flashcards as this will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Practise Makes Perfect
No matter what you do or which tricks you use, at the end of the day only practise will help you grasp the formulas and enable you to use them in the right context. When it comes to maths and physics, especially the numericals in physics, they must be practised every day without fail. That’s how you must design your timetable where you keep an hour for Maths and Science, and an hour for languages as it is important to write and practise when you are learning a language. And, the remaining time can be distributed among other subjects.
Play Games To Make Them Fun
When it comes to remembering formulas, the best way to do it is by making a game out of it. As students, games are always fun. So, turn learning into something enjoyable, you can make quizzes, make chits, fill in the blanks and more. Turning your studies into games helps you retain whatever you learn for longer, and helps you understand them even better. You can try this trick with other subjects as well. Also, thanks to technology, there are several Maths and Physics-related games available online and on app stores. You can download them and have fun with your learning.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic devices are when you associate a particular formula to help you remember better. For instance, let’s take the formula E=MC2
Now, to remember this, you can turn it into a phrase, such as Elephants love mice and critters. So, if you find a few formulas very difficult, you can use this method to make it much easier for you. Give it a try.
Break It Down
If you encounter lengthy formulas, which are difficult to remember, all you need to do is break it down the way you find it easy. For example, Speed = change in distance/change in time. Now, you can break it down as;
What is speed? It is the amount of time one object takes to cover a certain distance. Now, you know for speed, you need distance.
Second, when an object travels and covers a distance, it takes a certain amount of time. So, you know time is also necessary to calculate the speed.
When it comes to numericals, usually the solution or the hint is already present in the question and all you need to do is look for that clue. Now, if you encounter a question that asks you to find the speed of an object. So, speed means time and distance. The clue was right there in the question.
These were some of the easy ways to help you grasp formulas easily and help retain them for longer periods of time. But remember, it all boils down to the amount of practise you do. Solve sums every day and you are good to go.