Math Corner
Do you find math difficult? You are not alone!
Many water systems operators find math to be the most intimidating part of the water treatment exam. Use the tips and the information on this page, as well as the online CEU classes and the assistance we offer you, to make it far less intimidating! You can do this!
Top Tips to Help You Prepare to Answer Math Questions on Certification Tests
Practice completing the problems before taking the test! One learns math by doing math, not by simply looking at examples. Do not let yourself be so intimidated by the math that you ignore the math questions while studying all the other information. Practice makes perfect, practice until solving the types of math problems that will be on the test becomes second nature.
Once you learn how to complete a certain type of math problem, do not move on to another type right away! Solve several problems that have varying degrees of difficulty and are of the same type. This is how you retain what you learned; it is all about repetition. Practice makes perfect!
You will have a formula sheet while taking the test. Think of this as a “cheat sheet” because not having to memorize all of the formulas should put your mind at ease. Print the formula sheet and use it when you are practicing.
Remember that you can use a calculator when completing the test - so you do not need to get good at performing calculations in your head or memorize answers to addition/subtraction/multiplication/division questions.
Read the questions carefully and read them more than once. Make sure that you understand what the problem is asking.
Eliminate useless information. For example, if you are trying to calculate the chlorine dosage and you are informed that the settled water has an NTU of 1.2, that has nothing to do with your calculations.
Check your units of measurement. If you forget to convert GPM to MGD you are going to choose the wrong answer, even if your work for the math question was correct.
Almost all of your answers to the math questions can be checked. Sometimes this can be done by working backwards, by using the inverse operation (addition & subtraction are inverse operations, multiplication & division are inverse operations), by plugging your answer into a formula and checking that you get the required result, or by using other methods. If you cannot think of a way to check your work, do the question again on a separate piece of paper without looking at your work from your first attempt.
Don’t let math intimidate you and contact Nicole Hancock at nhancock@sfnwa.ca if you have any questions or would like to set up a Math Help Session!
