Can I Do Well in Physics If I Am Weak in Mathematics?

Well, to cut things short, you can’t. This isn’t to discourage you, but math is simply inseparable from Physics.

With that being said, weak math skills don’t forecast only doom and gloom for your chances of getting high marks in physics. Although it certainly doesn’t help your case, there are ways to improve and do better.

Below are a few tips that should help:

1. Take Your Time

Math, like learning how to read when you were younger, takes time. Back then, before learning to read, you each letter before attempting words or sentences. The same goes for math. There’s a reason math is taught in a specific sequence, because every topic requires decent knowledge of previous ones as they are simply building on each other. If you’re currently having a problem with a particular topic, stick to it, ask for help, and continue working until you have a better understanding of it.

Resist moving on to another topic before mastering the one on hand, you’ll only get more frustrated if you do.

2. One Step at a Time

A common problem in those with weak math skills that persist in their performance in physics is that they try to solve the problem in their heads first before writing anything down. This is not an effective way of solving things.

What you need to do is to go at it one step at a time, starting first by writing down the problem. Write everything down, including the simple things. This will give you a paper trail that will help make it easier for you to check your work, as well as allowing you to break down the problem in little segments to make it easier for you to check where you went wrong.

On the other hand, if you try solving part of the problem in your head, you’ll find it difficult and frustrating.

3. Draw a Picture of the Problem

This is a tip that applies both to math and physics and advocated by many IP physics tuitions in Singapore. The reason for this is very simple: we are visual beings. We’re able to understand and internalise a problem better if we have a drawing of the situation, no matter how rough of an approximation it is.

It doesn’t matter if it’s for maths or physics. If the problem has Bob giving away 2 pencils to Joe when he has none left, draw it. Do the same if the problem is about how fast the swing goes if little Timmy exerts whatever amount of pressure onto the ground.

Drawing things will help make it easier for you to figure out how to proceed.

Practice Makes Perfect

In math and physics, practice is everything. Take things one step at a time and do it repeatedly. The more you do it, the more confident you’ll be. Confidence is key to effectively learning any level of physics or math.