STUDY TIPS FOR C125

Specific Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Strategies

Basic 5-Step Approach
The basic 5-step approach to problem solving related to scientific and mathematical information are described below.

  1. Identify important information
  2. Recognize how this information is translated into scientific language or a specific mathematical formula
  3. Study any sample problems
  4. Take this information and apply it to practice problems in order to understand and carry out the procedure through an experiment, with sample problems or chapter questions
  5. Repeat the steps, particularly 3 and 4, until the material is mastered.

Word Problems
Word problems tend to intimidate students, but this need not be the case. With a plan of action for solving word problems, you will become more proficient at completing them.
The following are some suggested steps for solving word problems:

  • Determine what is to be calculated. Determine its respective variable.
  • Write down all the information given in the problem. Assign data to the variables as knowns.
  • If appropriate, draw a picture or diagram to illustrate the information given and the unknown. Clearly label all parts of the illustration.
  • Write a formula to express the relationship between the known data and the unknown information. It often helps to write the formula in terms of variables at first. Then plug in the values of each known variable.
  • Solve the problem.
  • Check the answer.

Specific Study Techniques

In order to determine the best study technique for your learning style, you should complete the VARK questionnaire.

 

Students in C125 often find it difficult to combine the topics covered in C105 with those described in their C125 lab manual, the prelab lectures, and information gathered in their lab notebook. By using the skills laid out for the specific learning types, you will be able to:

 

  • Take in information given by all resources associated with the course
  • Organize the information to effectively learn/study the material in the course
  • Prepare to perform well on reports, quizzes, and the final exam

Please select from the following choices the learning style that best describe you for advice on how to study for this course:

 

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