Take the Quadratic Formula Learning Styles Quiz (continued)

If you got mostly “b’s,” you are probably an auditory learner. You learn best by hearing and talking things over.

If you got mostly “c’s,” you are probably a kinesthetic leaner. You learn best by doing things with your body, and linking concepts to movement.

Memorization Strategies for Visual Learners:

• If you are a visual learner, you must spend time seeing whatever it is you need to memorize. Your eyes are the key to remembering.
• When the teacher writes a new formula on the board, stare at it for thirty seconds to form a visual picture. When you need to remember it, pull up that “snapshot” in your mind.
• Write the formula down in your notes with a special color. Remembering the color will help you visualize your notes.
• If you need to learn something like the quadratic formula quickly, make several flash cards with the formula written out. Tape them strategically around the house: beside your bed, on the mirror, on the wall by the dinner table. Looking at the flash cards over and over will burn the image into your memory.

Memorization Strategies for Auditory Learners:

• If you are an auditory learner, you need to hear and speak whatever it is that you need to memorize. Your ears help you remember.
• If you have a study partner, have her ask you the quadratic formula so that you can tell it back to her. If you get it wrong, have her read you the formula. Then, try again!
• If you really want to remember something, turn it into a song! The quadratic formula goes quite nicely with the tune to “Pop Goes The Weasel.” “x equals negative b Plus or minus the square root Of b squared minus 4 a c All over 2 a”
• If you don’t know “Pop Goes the Weasel,” you can make up your own tune, or look it up on the Internet.
• One other strategy is to recite the formula on tape, and play it back to yourself while you drive or do chores.

Memorization Strategy for Kinesthetic Learners: