What to Do When You’re Stuck on a Maths Question

Getting Stuck Means You're Pushing Yourself

It might surprise you, but feeling stuck on a maths problem is totally normal and often it can actually be a good thing because it means you’re tackling something challenging, something that’s going to push your abilities, and that’s how you improve. In fact, if you’re not getting stuck once in a while, it’s probably safe to assume you’re not trying hard enough. Even the most famous and brilliant mathematicians spent years on difficult problems, so being stuck is part of the learning process.

First Steps: Slow Down and Understand

First things first, when you hit a wall, slow down. Take a deep breath and read the question slowly. Don’t rush or panic, rushing leads to careless mistakes and often a misreading or misunderstanding of the question. Instead, pause and try to really comprehend what the question is asking. Read it carefully, twice even, so you catch every detail. Look for keywords or tricky language and make sure you know what each part means. Slowing down helps you avoid mistakes and gives you a clear picture of the problem before you try to solve it, it’s the foundation your ability will rest on. No matter how good you are at maths if you rush ahead and don’t fully comprehend the question you’re being asked then you’re not going to be able to answer it.

One useful trick is to read the question at least twice before doing any calculations. On the second read, underline or highlight important information, numbers, units, and words that signal what to do. Underlining key info helps you focus on the relevant facts and keeps you from getting sidetracked by extra details.

Breaking Maths Questions into Smaller Parts

So we’ve fully understood what the question is asking but the problem may still seem big or confusing, so the next step is to split it into smaller parts. For example, see if the question can be divided into two or more simpler questions. Focus on one piece at a time. This is a well-known strategy, mathematicians often keep only part of the condition and drop another part to simplify what is being asked of them. By tackling a chunk (or sub-question) first, you can gradually build up to the full solution. Breaking a problem into parts can make a tough question feel more manageable.

Next, write down what you already know and what you need to find. Clearly list the given information (numbers, facts, diagrams) and label the unknowns or variables. Jot down everything you do understand, this can help to clarify the situation. By identifying the knowns and unknowns, you turn a confusing problem into a set of clear pieces to work with.

Choose a Strategy

With a clearer picture, decide on an approach or strategy. There often isn’t one “right” way, but instead many possible methods. Think of tools you know, have you seen something like this before? Is there a related problem? and then start planning. Choosing a strategy means matching the problem to a method that might solve it.

Some specific strategies that often work well:

• Draw a diagram or picture. Visualising can make relationships clearer. (For example, sketch shapes, number lines, or graphs.)
• Make a table or list. Sometimes organising data in rows/columns reveals a pattern or makes calculations easier.
• Work backwards. Start from what you want (the answer) and think steps back to what you know. This can clarify the path to the solution.

Try one strategy and see if it simplifies the problem. If it doesn’t, switch to another approach.

Try Simpler or Related Examples

Another tactic is to consider an easier or related problem. Ask yourself if you’ve seen a similar question before and how it was solved. You might simplify the numbers to test an approach. For example, if the problem has large or complicated numbers, try the same problem with smaller ones. Often this gives insight into the general solution. Thinking of a related, simpler example helps you spot patterns or strategies to apply to the original problem. Working like this can build your intuition and often points the way to the full solution.

When to Ask for Help

It’s important to give yourself a fair shot, but also to seek help at the right time. If you’ve truly tried different methods and you’re still stuck after a reasonable time, ask for help. There is a lot to be gained through trial and error and working on strategies to solve a problem, but there comes a time where there is little left to be gained, theres no point wasting time in this situation. One suggestion is to set a personal deadline, work on the question for a set period and if you’re still lost then it’s time to reach out. Waiting too long can cause gaps in your understanding later. In general, if confusion is growing and you’re not making progress, it’s wise to get assistance before moving on.

Check-List Before Asking For Help

Before you raise your hand or message a tutor, run through a quick checklist on your own:

• Read the question carefully and underline key info
• Identify what you know and don’t know, write down known quantities and unknowns
• Try a simpler version of the problem
• Write out every step clearly to avoid simple errors
• Double-check your calculations at each step
• Make sure you’ve used all the information in the question
• Remember that it’s okay if your first attempt didn’t work, being stuck is part of learning

If you can tick through these and still can’t solve it, it’s a good time to get help.

How to Ask for Help Productively

When you do ask, show what you’ve tried. For example, write down or explain the steps you already did, and point out where you got stuck. This is really helpful for someone trying to assist you, it will help them review the problem and makes it easier to spot mistakes. It’s best to clearly state which part is confusing. In other words, showing your work and highlighting where you need help leads to better, faster assistance.

Practice Solving Maths Problems

Finally, practice! The most important part of not being stuck on the same questions in the future is practice. The more problems you solve, the better you get at handling stuck moments. Working through many questions makes you familiar with different problem types and trains your brain to be patient. Regular practice builds confidence and helps you recognise the shortcuts and strategies that work. Over time, you’ll develop endurance for challenging problems and bounce back from being stuck more quickly.

If “stuck” moments keep piling up, or you want to speed up progress to tackle harder maths problems, the right support makes all the difference. Kip McGrath tutors do more than show answers, they teach students clear, step-by-step habits and problem-solving strategies. With personalised lessons and targeted practice, students gain the ability and confidence to approach tricky questions calmly and independently.

Book a free Kip McGrath assessment today to pinpoint issues, identify gaps, and receive a tailored plan that supports real progress.