Struggling With New Math Topics? Here’s How Top Tutors Teach Them

The start of a new school term often means one thing for students: new math topics to learn. As students progress through the levels, these topics naturally become more complex – from fractions and ratios in primary school to algebra, graphs, and more abstract concepts in secondary school.

If your child is finding it difficult to grasp a new math topic, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns we hear from parents looking for PSLE Math tuition or IP Math tuition. The good news? With the right approach, even challenging topics can become much more manageable.

Here are some proven strategies our tutors use to help students truly understand new math concepts – not just memorise steps.

Link new concepts to what students already know

One of the most effective ways to learn math is by connecting new ideas to familiar ones.

For example, when students encounter a complicated fraction, tutors often encourage them to simplify the situation first. By replacing the numbers with smaller, simpler values, students can focus on understanding the method rather than getting overwhelmed by the calculations. Once the approach is clear, applying it to the original question becomes much easier.

Another common example is rate questions. Students may feel confused when questions involve unfamiliar contexts like “the rate of painting a wall” or “typing words per minute”. Our tutors guide students to relate these back to the familiar concept of speed, distance, and time. Once they see that the structure is the same, the question becomes far less intimidating.

This strategy is especially useful in PSLE Math tuition, where problem-solving questions often test whether students can apply concepts flexibly in new situations.

Visualise the concept

Math isn’t just about numbers – it’s also about seeing relationships.

For geometry topics, drawing clear diagrams is essential. Whether it’s angles, triangles, or trigonometry, a well-drawn diagram can immediately clarify what the question is asking. But visualisation goes beyond geometry.

In algebra, for instance, understanding graphs can help students make sense of equations and solutions. When students factorise an expression and are unsure which values to reject, visualising the graph allows them to see why certain answers don’t make sense.

Many students in IP Math tuition benefit greatly from this approach, as IP math places a strong emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than rote procedures. For visual learners, memorising key graphs and diagrams can be a powerful tool for solving a wide range of problems.

Study worked examples – and ask “why”

Worked examples are helpful, but only if students engage with them actively.

A common mistake is memorising the steps without understanding the reasoning behind them. This often leads to confusion when the exam question is phrased differently from what the student has practised.

Our tutors encourage students to slow down and ask questions such as:

• Which pieces of information are important?
• What is the final goal of this question?
• How does each step bring me closer to the answer?

By questioning each step, students learn the thinking process behind the solution. This makes it much easier to adapt their approach when faced with unfamiliar or higher-order questions – a key skill for both PSLE Math and IP Math exams.

Mastering new math topics with Future Academy

While these strategies are useful for self-study, having the guidance of an experienced tutor can make a world of difference. Through years of teaching PSLE tuition and IP tuition, our tutors have refined effective ways to break down complex topics and present them in a way that students can understand.

More importantly, our small-group classes create a safe environment for students to ask questions, clarify doubts, and gain new perspectives. Sometimes, all it takes is one explanation – framed in the right way – to spark that long-awaited “aha!” moment.

If your child is struggling with new math topics or wants to build stronger foundations for the years ahead, our tutors are here to help every step of the way.

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