The Feynman Technique: The Secret to Mastering Singapore Math
Struggling to remember math concepts? Learn how to use the Feynman Technique to master any topic by teaching it.
The Secret to Mastering Singapore Math
Richard Feynman was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. But his greatest talent wasn’t solving complex equations—it was explaining them simply. Here’s how his famous 4-step technique can help you crush your PSLE or O-Level exams.
What is the Feynman Technique?
The core idea is simple: If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
Many students think they understand a topic because they can follow the teacher’s steps in class. But when they get home and look at a blank piece of paper, their mind goes blank. That’s the difference between recognizing knowledge and owning it.
Step 1: Choose a Concept
Pick a specific Singapore Math topic you’re struggling with. Don’t be vague like “Algebra.” Be specific.
- “Converting Fractions to Ratios”
- “The Assumption Method (Chicken and Rabbit)”
- “Completing the Square”
💡 Start Small
The more specific the concept, the easier it is to apply this technique effectively.
Step 2: Teach it to a Child
This is the most important step. Take a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you know about the topic. But there’s a catch: Write it as if you were teaching it to a Primary 3 student.
- Use simple words.
- Avoid jargon (don’t just say “cross-multiply” without explaining why).
- Draw diagrams.
- Use analogies.
Example: Explaining Ratios
Bad Explanation: “To solve for ratio, you just equate the parts.” hiding technical terms behind understanding.
Feynman Explanation: “Imagine a ratio is like a recipe for a cake. If the recipe says 2 cups of flour for every 1 cup of sugar, that’s a 2:1 ratio. If we want to make a huge cake with 50 cups of sugar, we need 100 cups of flour to keep the taste the same.”
Step 3: Identify Your Gaps
As you try to explain it simply, you will get stuck. You’ll hesitate. You’ll realize you forgot why we flip the fraction when dividing.
Congratulations! You just found a knowledge gap. This is where real learning happens.
Go back to your textbook, notes, or HomeCampus lessons. Re-read ONLY that specific part until you can explain it simply. Then go back to your paper.
Step 4: Simplify and Refine
Once you have a complete explanation, review it. Is it still too wordy? Are there confusing parts? Simplify it further. Create an analogy.
- “Volume is just the amount of water a box can hold.”
- “Algebra is just finding the mystery number hiding behind the letter .”
Why This Works for Singapore Math
Singapore Math is famous for its heuristics (problem-solving methods). Memorizing the steps for “Model Drawing” isn’t enough because every question is slightly different.
By using the Feynman Technique, you force your brain to understand the logic behind the steps. When you understand the logic, you can solve any variation of the problem, not just the ones you’ve memorized.
💡 Try It Today
Pick one topic you learned this week. Spend 15 minutes teaching it to an imaginary classroom (or your pet cat). You’ll be amazed at how much better you remember it tomorrow.