Math

[IaCountryGirl]

I tried searching but honestly, I'm so tired right now and frustrated (it's making me cry!) that I'm going to type out my problem here. I hope someone can help me.

I am in intermediate algebra and we are on the chapter with simplifying square and cube roots with variables and also rationalizing denominators.

This is an online class and my instructor does answer but it can take her awhile sometimes......and the book isn't really helpful, neither is the software we use.

ANYWAY- first thing- I dont understand when I should be the absolute value sign for a variable......when I think I should use it, I'm not supposed to and when I don't think I should, I am supposed to. Can someone tell me in 6th grade terms the best way to know when I should use it?

Second is I don't understand the whole denominator bit at all. I have tried and tried, but it's just not working for me. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

This semester is almost over with and my brain just feels full at this point. We are at the end of a 6 week research project for A&P 2 that the school and the state is pushing because we got alllllllll this funding for computer equipment and they want proof we're using it for productive things *sigh* My group decided to put the advice of laying on your left side lowers your BP better to the test and I'm so ready to be done with it!

[peytonsmom]

I can't help you w/ the problem because its been about um...10 years since i've had a math class, but check out www.math.com if you can't find anyone w/ the answer. I used that to study for my compass and it really helped me out and broke things down well.

[cardschicarn]

Hey, I can't remember about when to use the absolute value signs but I kind of remember about rationalizing the denominator.

You want to rationalize the denom. so that you no longer have a radical in the denominator. That is the goal.

So, say you have x^2 under a radical. What can you multiply by to make the radical go away? Well, you can multiply by x^2 and that takes the radical away. Because when you multiply a powered term by the same powered term under a radical it eliminates the radical.

And, whatver you multiply by on the bottom you have multiply the numerator by as well!!!

Edit: I tried to set it up and the spacing didnt' work out... this board isn't made for math problems haha!

That is an extremely easy one and you already probably knew how to do it... but I always like to learn reallly easy ones first.

[IaCountryGirl]

No, Prenursing that makes more sense......the books was being complicated in explaining it.

I hit purplemath.com last night by accident and it helped break it down better for me. It seems the absolute value sign is used when the number is negative and not when it's positive. Guess I'll keep cracking away at it.....it's gotta click at some point!

I'll let you know how it goes.

[baldee]

Just remember, math never changes no matter who your instructor is. Of course use the methods they teach, so you can get all the extra credit possible, as well as get the best of your learning experience.

Don't skip any prerequisites, and math is never a waste of your time. The most applied course ever, whether you like it or not: learn to live with it and love it. There will be no limits to what you can learn with the power of math