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Visualization

Think of a character from a comic, TV show, or computer game that you like. Close your eyes and imagine this character - see them in your mind's eye. Even if it is a fuzzy or incomplete image, that's fine. Just get a definite visual impression of this character.

If you can do that, great! You already have the single most important ability that is necessary to do algebra in your head. You can skip to the next section, ``Visualizing Equations,'' below.

If you could not conjure up this image just now, or you are not sure, don't worry. First, it is not necessary to be able to visualize in any great detail. Let's say the character you picked is a talking duck you liked to watch on TV when you were seven. If you can see just part of the face and bill for a split second, and then it's gone, you can visualize plenty well enough. So just focus on getting that.

Practicing a little goes a long way. Here are some tips:

• Try something. If it works, great. If not, try another approach. What helps one person visualize really well is often different from what will help another person.
• It will probably help to choose a character you have positive feelings about. Think of a small child watching a cartoon, and suddenly a character the child really likes comes on the screen. What does that child feel inside? Avoid characters that kept you awake all night.^2.1
• Visualize with your eyes open. Visualize with your eyes closed. Which is more effective for you?
• If it's not easy to visualize the character you picked, pick a different character, or some object that has meaning to you. E.g., if you skateboard, imagine a skateboard, or last year's X Games champ flying on one.
• Find a real picture of the character, or draw one. Look at the picture. Close your eyes, and try to imagine that picture. Repeat. Use the picture as an aid.
• Bring different senses into it. Some people are ``visual'' people; they will usually be able to imagine things in their mind's eye immediately. If you are more of an auditory person, imagine this character talking or making a noise. If you are more of a kinesthetic, ``feeling'' person, imagine the character doing something physically active, and what they would feel while doing it.
• Move the ``physical'' location of the image. When people imagine something, they usually put it in a specific location in the space around or inside them. Some people envision it in front of them, or slightly up or to one side. It can also be located inside your body, such as inside your head. Try several locations to find what works best for you.
• Be willing to give it time. Work on it a little, and if it is not easily coming to you, do something else. Try again in a few hours or another day.

Practice until you can consistently get a mostly complete image, and can hold it for a few seconds. When you can do that, continue to the next section.

Footnotes

...^2.1

If they still keep you up, sorry for reminding you. Better sleep with the lights on tonight.