Need to set your password? Want to learn more about the tools you'll be using in MATHia? Not sure where to find help in MATHia? You came to the right place. This page was built for students who have questions on how to use MATHia.
This article will walk you through the required steps to set your password and sign in to your MyCL account for the first time.
There are a lot of different ways you can learn while you answer questions in your workspaces. Here are some that you will see:
Step-By-Step
In some workspaces, you will start with a Step-by-Step example. As you work through this example, you will complete a problem exactly like the problems you will be solving in that workspace. Take your time and read the given information carefully to make sure you understand what is expected of you in the problems.
Worked Examples
You can read information to learn and then answer questions about what you learned (like you will do here!).
Often, what you read will be a worked example. This is an example which will show you a way you can solve a problem. In some workspaces, the worked example will show you step by step how to solve a specific kind of problem.
Animations
Sometimes you will be able to watch a short animation to learn about a math concept. You can watch it as many times as you need. The information in the animation will help you answer the questions.
Explore Tools
You can also sometimes use an interactive model to explore math ideas on your own. As you explore with these tools, you will be able to see different ways to model your mathematical thinking.
No matter what way you learn, here are some things you can do that will help you learn from examples, animations, and interactive models:
Try to explain to yourself, in your own words, what you learn.
Think about how the problems you see are different from or similar to other problems.
Write down notes and questions. Don’t be afraid to use pencil and paper!
When solving a problem or answering a question, always do your best first and see if you get the correct answer. If you are still stuck, there are some things you can do.
Look up unknown terms in the glossary.
Review the step-by-step example.
Examine the sample problem.
Ask for a hint.
Hints
We all make mistakes. Especially when we’re learning. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes. When you are solving a problem, you might see two kinds of hints that can help you learn from your mistakes.
Hints usually have 3three levels. Read each level carefully. If you don’t know what to do after reading the hint, you can go to the next level by selecting the Next button. Text formatted like this tells you to type in exactly what is highlighted.
Just-in-Time Hint
A message related to a mistake you made is called a just-in-time hint. This means that your answer was close but not quite correct. Or, the mistake you made is a very common mistake to make when learning. If you still don't know what to do, ask for a hint!
Answer History
If you want to see all the answers you’ve tried on a question, you can right click on the answer box with your mouse. Or, if you are not using a mouse, you can press and hold your finger on the answer box to get your Answer History.
Since MATHia is a math program, you will be entering all kinds of numbers.
Entering Calculations
For most questions, you can enter any calculation that is equal to the correct answer.
To enter multiplication, use an asterisk (*).
To enter division, use / (not \ ).
To enter other math symbols, use the Expression Editor. To open the Expression Editor, select the icon in the right side of a text box.
Entering Fractions
Suppose you want to enter 1/2. You can do this a couple different ways.
Open the Expression Editor, choose the fraction button (xy), and then enter 1 in the numerator and 2 in the denominator.
Use your keyboard and enter the characters 1/2.
If you want to enter a mixed number, like 3 1/2, put a space between the 3 and the 1/2.
Entering Decimals
In MATHia, decimal answers should be accurate to the hundredths place, unless the problem says otherwise.
In some cases, once you enter an answer, the problem will show more decimal places than you entered. This is done to reduce rounding errors in later calculations.
