Making a Math Formula Sheet
(last update Mon, Mar 8, 2004)
Why should I make one?
A math formula sheet is a study aide that can help you understand how to solve particular math formulas and help you to solve math problems you come across in your math textbooks and in textbooks from your technical field.

How should I make one?

  1. First of all, on the top line of the page write a “title” that tells what the formula is used for in your field—for example, formula for finding out how much wood is needed for a floor, formula for deciding on the proper mix of gas and oil, formula for determining watts, voltage, and ohms, etc.,. This will help you to quickly find the correct formula later on when you have to do these tasks in your classes or on the job.
  2. Then, just below the title write the formula in the center of the page. Find the formula in your textbook, or , if your teacher writes it on the chalkboard, copy it down exactly. Write the formula very clearly and larger than you ordinarily write. You may want to use your highlighter pens to highlight the different parts of the formula. This is to help you see all of the components of the formula, so you become very aware of its parts.
  3. Next, take each part of the formula, highlight it, and define it in your own words.
  4. Next, copy down in the exact order they are listed in the book or on the chalkboard by your teacher the steps to solve the formula. Even if the step seems very small and obvious, and you think you will remember it without copying it down, copy it down anyway. This is to ensure that you will ALWAYS have a correct and complete formula to refer to when you have to solve problems based on it. For some problems, you may also want to draw a small sketch to help you visualize what you are looking for.
  5. Then, copy down the sample problem shown in the text or on the chalkboard, so that you have a “real life” example of how to “plug in” numbers when you are given them.
  6. Put the page number where you got the formula from in the upper left hand corner of the math formula sheet.
  7. Laminate the formula sheet and put it in your 3-ring binder in a special section for math formulas only so that you can quickly find the formula when you need it. When you solve individual problems, make sure you include the measurements mentioned in the problems—for example, feet, inches, pounds, ounces, gallons, minutes, hours, etc.,.

Formula for Finding the Amount of Wood for a Floor
A = L x W
Area = t he total amount of space found by multiplying the length and width
Length = the long side
Width = the short side

Steps to Solve the Problem:

  1. Replace the l and w with the numbers from the word problem that refer to length and width.
  2. Multiply those numbers.
  3. The result is the area.

Sample Problem: If the room is 10 feet by 15 feet, how much wood is needed for the floor?

  1. A== l (15 feet) x w (10 feet)
  2. Multiply the long side (15 feet) by the short side (10 feet).
  3. The area is 150 feet.

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