How to avoid common mistakes made while solving math problems

• Perform each step carefully: Don't be in a hurry. Solve each step carefully because the moment you make mistake in a step, the following steps will be incorrect.
• Understand concept clearly: It is very important that you understand the concept clearly, else there is high chance that your solution will be incorrect.
• Read the question carefully: This is a very common problem that the students do not read the question carefully, which leads to incorrect answer. Here again don't be in a hurry.
• Remember to bring all the units to the same level: It is common that the units in a problem may be different. Let's say you are given to find the area of a rectangle whose length is 2 m and breadth is 70 cm. Here if the student overlooks the units, the answer may be incorrectly derived as 140 m² (=2×70). Here first both the length and breadth needs to be brought to the same unit (m or cm), then the multiplication should be performed.
• Use rough space to perform the calculations (multiply, divide, etc.): Usually the students puts a margin to perform rough work. This is to ensure that the calculation is correctly performed.
• Start your solution with the relevant formula: Suppose you are given a problem to find the simple interest. First write the formula of simple interest; SI=(P×R×T)/100; then assign the values as given in the question to the variables in the formula. In this way, you will avoid making any error.
• Answer should be logical: For example, if you get profit% as 1000%, you should revisit your solution. Most of the time, the person who forms the question takes care of the practical situation.
• Validate the answer if possible: Let's say you have solved an equation (2k+7=13) and you get k=3. Validate your answer by putting the value of k in the equation 2k+7, you should get 13(=2×3+7). If you do not get 13, that means your answer is incorrect.
• Wherever applicable, mention the correct unit: in the answer. For example, the area of a square of side 9 cm is 81 cm² and not just 81.
• Solve the fractions, ratios to it's standard form: For example do not just leave the fraction as 3/6, deduce it to 1/2. Similarly, 3:6 should be 1:2. It's not a mistake but a good practice.
• Understand the mistakes you have made: Whenever you make mistake, understand what was the reason for making mistake. Whether it was incorrect understanding of the concept or carelessness. This will help you not to make the same mistake the next time.