Standard Devi - what ......? (Math 1512, Post 1)

Wow, well the jump from week one to week two was a big one. Or at least it felt like it. The homework was going fine until I came to a question about Standard Deviation and saw a formula that looked a little something like this...

Now I haven't seen anything like that for a LONG time. After years of living a life evade of anything but simple mathematics, the Standard Deviation formula was a wake up call! Having been dependent on my calculator by the middle of high school my skills are lacking to say the least. But with this chance to go back and not only learn math and the concepts, but to learn effective ways to teach them I thought I should try and do my best to more deeply understand what I am doing when I do a math problem. I've created a list of things I am doing to help me better understand, see, and watch for mistakes as I work on a problem...

1. Read the problem thoroughly - that means all of it. Understand exactly what the question is asking, and what solution you need to find. I have wasted so much time "reading" questions and missing just a little piece and coming up with the wrong answer. So read it!
2. SHOW YOUR WORK. I have been told a hundred times, by my math teachers especially, to "show your work", "let me see every step", etc. And you know what? By showing your work and being able to see the steps you make you really can better understand what exactly you're doing and how it all works and fits together. Calculators are great... but they can really hinder a better grasp of mathematic concepts and formulas. 
3. Finally, double check your answer. This may seem like a waste of time. The idea of it may have you wanting to pull your hair out BUT double checking your answers and the steps you took to get there, especially when you're feeling a little fried, is a foolproof way to make sure you do it right, and do it right the first time. 

Hopefully, that will help you as much as it helped me. Until next time...