5 Math Minds

When you come across a problem, how do you approach it? We have classified the different ways you might tackle a question into these patterns, five different thinking strategies. Which one makes up your math mind?

Step

‘Follow the path to the answer’

You don’t easily trust your instincts. You work your way through issues step by step, based purely on what you know is true. Your pure mathematical mind always needs a solid reason before you move on to the next step.

Reverse

‘Suppose I know the answer - now what?’

You assume a likely answer first then track back to the reason why later. Connecting one fact to another using your Reverse Math Mind, you check what is associated with the answer and what is not.

Create

‘Let’s change the question, make it easier!’

When encountering a complicated question, you sometimes create an easier question from the original. Your creative Math Mind changes your perspective to help you find a breakthrough to a question.

Knock

‘Keep knocking until the right door opens’

‘Knock’ is an approach of listing every possibility that you can think of and trying them one by one. You may find something new when using your Knock Math Mind.

Scan

‘To make a long story short...’

You can organize and summarize information by quickly classifying what is important and what is not. Your Math Mind helps you scan through the question and spot the most important points straight away.

To solve questions quickly you need to use the right strategy. Sometimes to work out a tough puzzle you might need a combination of different strategies too. By combining them we can create a ‘Library of Hows’

How to Enrich Your Library of Hows

Remembering how you solve a math or logic problem will help you when you come across another difficult question. By building a library of ‘Hows’ inside your brain, you give yourself a toolbox that will help you take on a wide range of puzzles & problems. By tying together different Math Minds, your Library of ‘Hows’ becomes richer. And with a richer library, the faster ideas will come to your head.