Question: how are you smart and how do you improve your math?

Edward Smart answered on 19 Mar 2026:

There are a lot of ways we can be smart. Some people are really good at languages, or sports, or spotting patterns. Some people can hear some music and figure out how to play it themselves. Some people are really good at knowing other people and how to help them and be their friend.

If you want to improve your maths, I would practice. Get hold of some workbooks with problems in and try them in a quiet place if you can. Write out the problems and solve them using pencil and paper. For me, it helps me remember.

Also, you will get things wrong and make mistakes. The greatest mathematicians on the planet regularly fail to solve problems! BUT, they see failure as a part of the learning process. They try and try again.

Also, practise your timetables and practise mental maths. E.g. have a friend, or a computer ask you some questions that you have to solve in your head.

Good luck on your maths journey! I’d also recommend you look at the careers page on the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications because sometimes when we do maths, we don’t see the point. How does this help in the real world? Pages like this show how people use maths and why.