how can you make math seem fun when you are trying to each someone?

Question

I am 13 and i am trying to help my friend out with her math because she is teaching me art.

Answer 1

If your friend likes art, you can use that to motivate discussions about math.  For instance symmetry is a concept that has a lot of art application, as do triangles, squares, etc.  It all depends on what subject she is studying.  You can find interesting lesson plans and tools on teacher web sites, which are full of suggestions about how to motivate students.  Try the teacher channel, for instance.

Answer 2

The best way to illustrate the math problem with real life examples in popular areas like football, baseball and nature...

Answer 3

T,

I think key thing is to realize that math is more than performing calculations and being a series of topics like algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics etc. to wade yourself through while in school. Mathematics encompasses so much more than that. At its heart, it is the science of pattern recognition. It is a language that underpins our understanding of all science. For instance, without the language of mathematics, we would have no real understanding of physics and hence no real understanding of how our Universe works. In so many other areas of science and life, the same can be said.

I would have to ask - is math fun for you? If you can use your imagination to show that how deep mathematics goes, you certainly have the capability of making it fun to learn for your friend.

Todd

 

Answer 4

This is an important skill. Many math teachers don't get it. Math is only fun if students want to learn what is being taught. So, motivation is key. Getting a good grade on a test is not a good motivator. What does your friend want to do with math? Saving money by being efficient in the use of art materials could be a useful motivator to learn new math skills. Finding the best route to get from home to an art store might help too. Learning something new about geometric shapes is what I often use to get someone excited to explore math. For example, in addition to cubes, which are space filling, another 3D shape that is space filling is a regular truncated octahedron.

Answer 5

That is so awesome that you are helping out your friend! Start out with something FUN. I like to do number pictures where let's say you write the number 8. Then she has to turn the shape of an 8 into a picture (like a snowman!). This might loosen her up by giving her something she likes to do. To start out with decimals and such, give her a GROCERY ADD, pick out a complete meal by cutting out pictures and prices, then calculate the total cost😁

Answer 6

Being enthusiastic and coming up with real world examples that are also a bit silly can really help to keep math fun! :-) If you are working with someone who likes art, for example, examine ways that math are applied in art. I suggest problems involving measurements for artwork, forming shapes, determining amounts of or cost for art materials, determining scale, percentages of colors to mix for a certain hue, or even coding for graphic arts. You can combine art & math into some incredibly interesting projects. When you want to make math fun, it's helps to base activities on topics THAT individual learner enjoys & finds fun. Good luck!

Answer 7

T-

You both are young and art is a math too. Art is just not as simplified as math. Visual examples are important. Try baking or cooking or even food from a box, like cereal or goldfish. Use the visual examples to help explain. You can even use them to make art when you are done. It is something to think about.

 

Answer 8

When teaching it is important to know how the person learns.  You mentioned that your friend is teaching you art.  Is there a specific style of art that she enjoys?  If she enjoys drawing or painting, you can use that form to show her what the math problem looks like.  Great teaching goes hand in hand with great creativity.  Then you and the person you are teaching have more fun and the lesson sticks longer.