Math Fear.I want improvement. Please help me?

Question

Hello Humans,
I'm really going to try to make this as short as possible.I have a certain fear and it involves math.I have dsycalculia and I find math to be very EXTREMELY difficult.Sometimes,I feel as if I can comprehend it but then I end up getting confuse.
I'm ashame of myself,I'm 16 years old and yet don't know my multiplication nor how to divide or even simple basic.I think this all has to do with me going to this private school for about 4 years and they never never taught it was a horrible school.Now I'm currently going to be a junior in a new high school,that teaches and I don't want to feel behind.I already failed geometry in sophomore year of my new school.I must improve because math is so important for everything.
I want to study it on my own until school begins Aug 20th.
but will i have enough time? Will i be able to improve? I'm going to be taking Algebra.What if i fail? ... =/
And i cannot get a tutor at all nor someone to help me which is why i have to do it on my own.

how can i catch up if i still dont even know the basics of math and im a junior in high school =/

Answer 1

Some people find math extremely easy. They grasp concepts and can apply them without apparent effort.

Most have to work hard to understand what those in the first group seem to master at first glance.

Some cannot grasp math. No matter how hard they seem to try, nothing seems to sink in. I believe that many in this group would be in the second group but they aren't able (or haven't the interest) to put in the necessary work. They see the first group, think that's "normal," and because of that think they're dumber than dirt.

First, for your own sake, please forget "dyscalculia" or whatever it's called. That's psychobabble for "math's hard." All it is is a moronic psychologist's excuse for you not to succeed. Probably the dude who made it up flunked algebra and invented an excuse so when people said, "Hmmmm... flunked algebra." he can say, "I have dyscalculia," to which everybody will say, "Oooh... I'm so sorry." Now the fact that he flunked algebra is forgotten and everybody's sorry they even bothered asking him about it. The pseudo-sciences are good at that... it's about all they're good at.

Math isn't easy. It takes a special mindset to excel in it. But most people can at least survive it. But if you don't, that's ok... excel in some other field. Problem is that in high school, math is required.

Second, figure out how you learn. Some learn by reading. Some by watching others do it. Some by repetition. And some by being thrown into the water and told to swim. Part of math is memorization. But there's a whole lot of stuff to memorize if that's the approach you take. The best way to approach math... for mathematicians... is to learn the concepts and apply them.

Third, if you really want to get from the third group back into the second group, you'll have to set your priorities in that direction. Forget TV, video games, dates, parties. You're going to need every heretofore free waking moment (well almost all of them) to accomplish your goal.

In the eighth grade I found myself in group 3. I wasn't keeping up with the class in what they were doing. I think it was boredom, but as a result I wasn't allowed to go into algebra in the ninth grade. As a result I was half a year behind my peers. But I worked hard. I became a recluse... except for the fact that I lettered in swimming in college, a stereotypical "nerd." But I have two degrees in the subject. I'm no mathematician. Actually, I'm not all that good at it. I can, for example, add a column of numbers and get several different answers. So I rely on computerized spreadsheets. But when I was in college, laptops hadn't been invented yet, and even personal desktops were extremely rare. I know how to do stuff manually that most people have to use a calculator for... not because I'm smarter, but because we didn't have calculators.

Fourth, math isn't just a way to get answers. It's a process by which one can solve problems... any problems. It's a mental discipline where one learns to think logically and objectively. One learns to apply esoteric rules to equally esoteric problems and come up with workable solutions. Some people brag about being able to "think outside the box." Mathematics removes the box, or at least stretches the mind to the point where the box is of no consequence. Math enables the mind to cope with problems that are far outside normal, everyday life, while those without the training are running madly around in utter confusion. Most people tend not to "like" "math people." That's because most people are "feelers" rather than "thinkers." Feelers don't like to look at the cold, hard facts; they don't want to look at things objectively, dispassionately, logically; and they are the first to try to quash suggestions based on that kind of thought.

Lastly, don't judge your progress, or apparent lack thereof, by the accomplishments of the first group... or even of those in the second. Remember what gets the second group through is just plain hard work. And I believe most of the people who find themselves in the third group are there, not because they're stupid, but because they just gave up.

FYI, I'm in group two... and I'm not ashamed. I don't have time to be ashamed... I have to work too hard at math.

Answer 2

Hey, by acknowledging you have a problem, you already made the first step.

You need to relax when you think about math. Lots of people hate math, but if you take things slowly, you will see its very much the following of a formula, and as long as you work slowly you can improve.

I would suggest a self study course that you can do on your own, on the computer, the key thing is a pre-test which will tell you where your weaknesses are, and to start from there.
Dont get frustrated, work slowly but surely.
good luck

Answer 3

I would say if your problems are this severe, you cannot do it on your own, at least not at first. You need to find someone that can help you overcome these issues, preferably someone who is trained in learning disabilities. have your parents look into a learning center such as Sylvan or something similar. You can get help. You have to look for it, though. It doesn't always come to you.


You are not going to be able to "catch up" in this short period of time with your issues. You are going to have to be in remedial classes until you get the hang of the basics.

Answer 4

After reading your question I searched for "free online math tutors" and came up with many websites. The one I recommend is www.algebra.com. You might be able to find what you need there. I'm sure if you work at it you'll be prepared by the 20th.

Answer 5

If you really have dyscalculia, then algebra will be a struggle. It would be worth talking to someone who has specific knowledge about this learning disability, as most of us are likely to give general advice like "go slow," or "do lots of practice problems."

The good news, though, is that math isn't as important in everyday life as you seem to think. (Sorry guys, but be honest. I have yet to find a situation in which I *needed* to factor something, much less solve a stochastic differential equation.)

Answer 6

Can you get your parents to help you? I'm sure they know basic maths. What about any friends, or any other relatives?

If not, I'm sure there is a tutor somewhere.. look them up in the Yellow Pages.

If you really don't know basic maths, it will be extremely difficult to do this on your own.

Good luck!

Answer 7

i think math is pretty easy and fun all u need to do is study as hard as u can and think that if u don't ace this test it will be the end of the world. And get a tutor.

Answer 8

Ok, so this is what I suggest you do. Get some flash cards for your addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables (they need to go up to 10). Then, for algebra you need to know your squares to up to about 15^2. You can make flash cards for those too. Also, you may want to practice adding, subracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. This is all you really need to know for algebra. Good luck!

Answer 9

Try Kumon it's a tutoring program where you go to the center (check if you have a Kumon center around you first). If you do then ask your parents to sign you up. here's the website for them: http://www.kumon.com/default.asp?language=USA

Answer 10

UM..YOU NEED TO FiND SOMEBODY TO TUTOR YOU AND THAT WiLL HELP YOU..OR GET WiTH YOUR TEACHER AND TALK TO HiM/HER ABOUT iT. JUST TRY TO BE ON THE POSiTiVE SiDE ABOUT iT.