i have to pass college algebra to grauate, whats the best way for an idiot to learn algebra?

Question

i never had algebra in high school, now i have to learn it to finish college, ive taken the no credit class three times and dropped it each time- now im done with all my other classes except math- its holding me up. math in general has been a challenge for me. what can i do to help myself pass this time?

Answer 1

First, I have to wonder how you graduated from high school without having to take ANY algebra. This is not a knock against you, but your school. I would definitely recommend getting a tutor (most departments offer tutoring services free of charge). I would also check your program of study to see if that is the class that you have to have. Maybe you can take a different class to meet the requirement. If all else fails, find a professor in the math department and have them work with you and analyze your strengths and weaknesses. You might want to check out some algebra websites. A few are:
www.algebrahelp.com
www.mymathtutor.com
www.homestead.com/stroh/algebrahelp.html
go to a metasearch engine such as google or dogpile to find more.
Also, you might want to have an eye test done at your campus health clinic to check for dyslexia. Many times this problem goes unnoticed, but it is absolutely devastating to math and reading. Hope this helped.

Answer 2

Train yourself to think slowly, step by step, methodically. If you're a creative type or ADD that's hard but that's the trick.

If you're a visual thinker, get somebody to help you figure out how algebra works with graph paper. That really helped me when it went from formulas to pictures.

Understand that math was created to describe and predict the natural world; so ever formula you'll see (except some of weird-*** imaginary stuff) describes something you can see on paper. Usually a graph of some type.

Finally, COMMIT. Don't be a slacker and take no-credit courses. Remember Yoda: "there is no try."

Answer 3

I have two thoughts. One is to test, if you have not done so yet, for ADHD. Do you suspect it at all? My daughter has it, and while she's very bright over all, she has low processing speed, an ADHD characteristic, and something essential for math. You could get extra time for your tests or even be excused from Math. Second, get tutoring with someone who is recommended for their patience, a clear and understandable way to teach, someone who loves to teach, who doese not have a mocking streak in them. Advertize for that and interview them. Or get word of mouth recommendations. Sometimes, the best person is another young college kid, still close to the material you learned, who aspires to be a teacher, and who did consistently well throughot high school and college. A nerd, a geek, but an articulate one, not too introverted. Another way to find them is to look for people who offer help with SAT tutoring. Still interview them. And do your homeworks!

Answer 4

Short answer: your homework.

The problem is likely that your arithmetic is bad -- that is, you have trouble multiplying single digit numbers and adding/subtracting 3 digit numbers in your head.

Math does not lend itself to luck, or "just getting it". You have to work at it, and if you don't understand a particular concept, it means having to go back to what you think you already know.

For Algebra, this is going to be basic math. For Trig, this is going to be Algebra.

If it makes you feel any better, real math has very little to do with all that stuff.

Answer 5

Get a tutor dude.