Why can't I learn algebra? Is it possible that I have a learning disability for math only?

Question

I am very astute at everything else, but cannot seem to learn math above a high school level. What is wrong with me?

Answer 1

While it is possible to have a learning disability for math only, most likely it is a combination of several factors:

You can have math anxiety, where the IDEA of math,makes you freeze up and the instruction just doesnt penetrate,

The second possibility is inadequate teacher. They have one way of teaching it, not taking time to see how their different students learn best.

I failed one quarter of trig in 11th grade. The young woman was new and flirted with the boys and male teachers. She spent a LOT of time making sure the jocks got the lessons, but shy girls -- not so much.

I had to take a summerschool course, taught by a catholic school brother. He was totally dedicated to the class, all students alike, He was patient and thorough and worked with all of us individually., I aced it with a 92.

Later in college I had a similar professor teaching a math survey course. He explained then re-explained, then asked us to speak up if we had questions, assuring us we wouldnt be ridiculed if we did.

I would look into a tutor - and probably not a peer tutor. Explain your anxiety upfront and ask for patience. You can probably grasp enough to pass.

Answer 2

Some people seem to be able to grasp math and run with it. The majority seem to have to work -- and work hard -- to get a part of what the first group gets with ease. And there are a few that cannot get math. There are fewer in the latter group than think they are. Many who put themselves in the latter group are belong in the middle group but are tired of trying, or too lazy to do the work required.

You can approach math in two ways. You can memorize a lot of rules and specific applications. You will memorize when and how to apply these rules, and, just like a computer, will apply them with little or no understanding. People in the middle group run into problems when they try to apply rules they don't understand in cases whey the rules are not applicable.

The other way is by understanding what you do and why. There will be stuff to memorize, but the amount will be a whole lot less. And the rest you will be able to derive applying what you know. You'll find that little cues will remind you of some of the stuff you derived previously so you won't have to derive that stuff every time you need it. And the advantage is that, while sometimes you'll have to work long, hard hours to solve a problem, you will know how you solved it, and more importantly, you will know that you solved it. A few hours earlier the problem would have been impossible for you. Now it no longer is.

In algebra it doesn't make any difference what symbol you use, you're still talking about numbers.
1, 2, 3, ½, 7.123, ¾, √3, π, a, i, e, x, y, β, δ, ε, a+bi, f(x), f'(x), dy/dx, (x²-1)/(2xy-5), AB (as in a the length of a line -- it doesn't even have to be straight -- between points A and B)
They are all just values. Don't let the symbols freak you out.

And they have the following properties.
For any a, b, and c

a+b=b+a (commutative property of addition)

ab=ba (commutative property of multiplication)

(a+b)+c=a+(b+c) (associative property of addition)

(ab)c=a(bc) (associative property of multiplication)

a(b+c)=ab+ac (distributive property of multiplication over addition)

(1)(a)=a (one multiplied by anything – multiplicative identity)

(0)(a)=0 (zero multiplied by anything)

a+0=a (zero added to anything – additive identity)

For every a there is a b such that a+b=0 (additive inverse, sometimes called “the negative” of the number)

For almost every a there is a b such that ab=1 (multiplicative inverse, sometimes call “the reciprocal,” or “1 over”) The only a for which there is no such b is a=0. Remember the property of zero that whatever you multiply it by, you get zero.

If a=b, then b=a (reflexive property of =)

If a=b, and b=c, then a=c (transitive property of =)

There are a few others, but this is a good start.

Additionally, I never think of "subtraction." I think of adding the additive inverse. I also never think of "division". Rather I think multiplying by the multiplicative inverse.

Usually, when somebody tells you "you can't do" something in math, it usually means "I don't know how to do it," or "we'll talk about that in another course," or "If you really want to know, see me after class."

I once worked three days straight on a problem for a take-home exam. I got it right and was accused of cheating because the professor contended that it was above the capability of anybody in the class. So I had to do the proof in front of the professor, the department chair, my math advisor, and a couple of interested professors.

If you're doing the best you can -- and you know if you are doing the best you can -- and if you can't grasp math, there's nothing wrong with you. Don't let some whacked out psychologist tell you have some dumb syndrome, or mental handicap. Psychologists are great at making up scary-sounding names for problems, but not one of them has the brains to come up with solutions for them.

Answer 3

actually if you can learn any math, you have already learned Algebra. From having taught several people Algebra, I have found the most difficult part is that it has an Arabic Name. The basic problems you do, even when balancing a checkbook, are algebra. For instance: 3 minus 2 equals what? is an algebra problem, just not called that. The only difference is that a letter or symbol (like "x") is used in place of the word "what". So, in algebraic terms the above question would be: 3 minus 2 equals X; solve for X. If you can get over the idea that Algebra is really hard, it will be easier to learn. You might try finding a book called Algebra for Dummies. The dummies series of books presents topics in a very understandable way. Good Luck

Answer 4

I recently completed my college level Algebra. It had been 20 years since I took a math class, and I was horrible at it then. I can say learning Algebra is all about the right instructor, mine was awesome. Second thing I realized about math problems I had 20 years ago versus ability to learn it now, was attitude. When I was young I questioned rules, Algebra is all about rules. Now that I am older I do not question the rules, I just listen and follow them. If you try to figure out WHY in Algebra you will never get it. Simply listen and write down all the rules, then apply the rules without questioning them and you should do fine.

Answer 5

Yes, it is possible that you have a learning disability in only 1 area, it's not uncommon at all, but it doesn't sound like that's the problem. Often some of us just don't get math, either we have a teacher who just doesn't connect with us or the concepts just don't make sense. Keep trying, you'll be surprised on day it may all make sense.

Answer 6

I was like that too. I actually got forced to take a math fundamentals class to get accepted into college. There was a point where some rules I had missed just clicked. I went on to taking algebra 1 and 2, stats, quantitative math, and accounting.

Sometimes you have to step back to move forward.

Answer 7

Though this is not necessarily a math question, I'll take a moment to respond.

Every brain has two sides to it, a left-brain and a right-brain. One side (I forget which) concentrates on the arts more than details ... people who have this strength, often are great at expressing themselves, visualizing depths, colors and emotions. The other side of the brain concentrates on details, such as mathematics.

Possibly, you have talents in both sides, but the side that deals with the mathematics might not as strong as the other side. This does not lessen you as a person, as everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Rather, I believe it assists in defining you in a unique way.

Answer 8

I have never been tested for it, but I believe I am a little dyslexic and I have test anxiety for math (something almost any school can test for.) Now that I am not being tested on my math abilities, it has gotten easy for me to learn math and I have gotten pretty good at algebra.

Answer 9

I can think of two programs which may work well. My dd had a lot of trouble and Math U See worked very well with her. It suddenly "clicked". These come with a video teacher and manipulatives so it comes from a different perspective which can help. Touch Math works well for a lot of kids as well.

Answer 10

Don't worry. I suck at Math also. I have a 56 in Algebra 2 right now. I wouldn't sweat it if you aren't going into a feild that requires a lot of Math.