College Algebra and Statistics

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Hello all! I was wondering if these two courses are similar. I'm not very good in math and managed to get a B in College Algebra. I'm taking statistics this summer and I can't help but to wonder what I'm getting myself into. Are there a lot of formulas that I will have to memorize like College Algebra? For those people who have already taken both courses, how would compare the two on a scale from 1-10 with 1 being easy and 10 being difficult? Are there any websites that you can recommend that will help me memorize or get a jump start on learning the different formulas if any?

Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

I am not wonderful at math either but statistics was a total breeze for me. Check out ratemyprofessor.com to ensure you get a good professor and you should be just fine!

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I go to HACC and I just finished taking Statistics online. Here is the link to all of the iTunes videos from my professor https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/math-202-introduction-to-statistics/id424625873 The class was much different from Algebra. While there are many, many formulas used in statistics, they are all programmed into graphing calculators and programs like minitab and statcrunch so you really just need to know when to use which function on your calculator. My professor also provided formula sheets during our proctored exams so there was no memorization of formulas to do. There were a few concepts that I found extremely hard to grasp, but overall the class was not very hard.

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Statistics is absolutely NOT the same as algebra. Statistics is a lot more application: you have to learn how to translate word problems and know when to apply certain formulas, depending on the conditions of the problem. Algebra is basically memorization then plug and chug. I breezed through algebra but spent a lot more time trying to figure out statistics. I did well in both, but statistics was more difficult for me and required a lot more focus. Hope this helps!

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Statistics is absolutely NOT the same as algebra. Statistics is a lot more application: you have to learn how to translate word problems and know when to apply certain formulas, depending on the conditions of the problem. Algebra is basically memorization then plug and chug. I breezed through algebra but spent a lot more time trying to figure out statistics. I did well in both, but statistics was more difficult for me and required a lot more focus. Hope this helps!

This exactly. I am mediocre at math. Algebra came pretty easy to me, but statistics was a beast. I wound up with an A- in it, but it required an immense amount of work from me. A 7 question homework assignment took me the better part of an entire day to complete accurately.

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My experience was similar to some. I breezed through algebra with an A. Statistics killed me, but not exactly because it was hard. It was the only class I was taking and my husband was deployed. Therefore, I had ZERO interest. Also, to me, it was INCREDIBLY boring! I came out with an A, zero clue how that happened. I ended up reading the Sookie Stackhouse series during lecture so I wouldn't fall asleep. All the HW and quizzes were online. My teacher was pretty cool. Moral of the story, don't read fluff novels during a lecture. HAHA!! I didn't learn anything other than I really dislike that subject.

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This exactly. I am mediocre at math. Algebra came pretty easy to me, but statistics was a beast. I wound up with an A- in it, but it required an immense amount of work from me. A 7 question homework assignment took me the better part of an entire day to complete accurately.

I remember being assigned like 10 problems for Stats homework and thinking it's wouldn't take long to complete until a couple hours had passed and realized the entire day is gone. Unlike Algebra once you finish a Stats equation you will definitely know if it's correct of not, the only down fall of stats is finishing a lengthy problem then realizing your answer is incorrect.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma ICU, CVICU.

The two classes are night and day. My ONLY C in college was in College Algebra...HATED it. Statistics was an easy A for me. It clicked. I am taking Biostatistics now and it still makes way more sense than College Algebra, plus there is the added bonus of practical application, especially in nursing. If you don't have to take it as a summer class, I would reconsider. Most summer classes are a little fast paced!

Good luck!!!

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I agree they are very different. I absolutely hate math and somehow got through school without even knowing how to do algebra really. I was scared of stats but I absolutely loved it and it was my favorite pre-req class. I don't know how to explain how it is different than normal math like algebra, but rest assured it is.

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They both are way different..!

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So glad to read this thread. I struggled with college algebra and am taking statistics this summer....I was REALLY worried...but a lot of my issue with algebra is that I need to know WHY!.....from the sounds of this I am hoping that I will do better with statistics

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