Doing Dell Figgerit puzzles from the specialty magazine published by Dell has helped me tremendously with math, which is my weakest subject in academic studies. Figgerits focus on basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and square roots. These equations are presented in the form of a crossword puzzle. For some reason Algebra and Geometry are easy for me, they are almost second nature. But, when it comes to basic math, I am totally lost. I look at Algebra and Geometry as puzzles which to me are a challenge and resolvable. Until I looked at Figgerits, which helped me put math into a puzzle format, I have always struggled with the basic numeric equations. With Figgerits, you are provided with a series of clues and a diagrammed crossword. The trick is to find a proper starting point, which is not always easy.
To find a starting point, I mainly use deduction of looking at clues and what type of clues will surround it that are easily solvable. For example, a clue might be the square root of 36 which is easily obtainable. Other clues might include the sum of 2 down and 4 across which you obviously can not obtain until you have solved those equations. Since starting to try to complete Figgerits, my basic math skills have increased tremendously and I am feeling more confident in an area I have always struggled with. If math is not your strong area, give these a try, they really do help! I actually find myself enjoying them and I have always professed to hate math!