You Can Do Spaced Repetition in Math

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You can do spaced repetition in math.

It’s just that instead of instant-recall flashcards, you’re solving problems.

In the most general sense, a “repetition” is just a successful review at the appropriate time.

Of course, it’s way harder to manage your spaced repetition schedule in math than when you’re practicing independent flashcards.

In math, when you practice more advanced skills, you’re implicitly practicing simpler sub-skills, all of whose spaced repetition schedules have to be adjusted as a result.

But you know what’s awesome?

If you’re clever about it, you can leverage that complexity to greatly reduce the amount of time you spend on review.

For instance:

Say you learn “ax=b” equations today and you need to review it tomorrow.

Guess what?

If you learn “ax+b=c” equations tomorrow, then that will implicitly knock out your review on “ax=b” equations because you’re practicing that as a sub-skill whenever you solve an “ax+b=c” equation.

Further reading: Cognitive Science of Learning: Spaced Repetition (Distributed Practice) .

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