For those that have already had Chemistry

allnurses Guide · Aug 22, 2005

i didn't have to take chemistry in college because i'd taken it in high school and didn't retake it. i did fine. and math is not not not my strong suit.

steph

oops! i thought the question was about chemistry, not algebra. sorry. i did take algebra again in college. not chemistry.

steph

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

If you can solve X + 2 = 5, and get 3 for X, you'll be OK.

If you can simplify 2X + 7X = 9 to 9X = 9, you'll be OK.

The other thing you need to know is the basics on what ratios are and how you can use them to manipulate some of the word labels on numbers in an equation. That is all actually pre-algebra stuff. Don't panic. The instructor is going to go over how to do the math for chemistry problems.

oregonrene · Aug 22, 2005

I was in the same situation as you, and I did not retake algebra before my first chemistry class. Once I remembered my basic algebra rules, I was just fine and made A's in all my chemistry classes.

Laura77598 · Aug 22, 2005

You Don't need to take algebra all over again. I actually did better in Chemistry than I did in algebra. Chemistry seemed to hold my attention more than just algebra. There is a story to chemistry rather than just putting numbers together. You are learning how things mix together to form another compound. You also learn how these compounds can be torn down to simple elements of salts,acids, and bases. Think of it as learning recipes: How to make something, how to break it down into ingredients, what the recipe is, and how the ingredients react together. It really is fascinating how simple it breaks down. I thought basic math was enough to get through chemistry.

Get Chemistry for Dummies and read it. Use different colors of highlighters and color the formulas and other important points. Also read in this book often. There are also many internet sites that offer help with Chemistry. Really though, If you can solve for x you will be fine.

There is only a small amount of algebra in Chemistry, and if you think of it as cooking new and exciting recipes and learning what they are made from and how their ingredients react with one another it will seem less intimidating. It really is not terribly difficult.

Laura

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 22, 2005

In my experience, I took both the math class and Chem at the same time. If you can do basic algebra then you are okay. Lots of math is needed in Chem but it is only basic. Best wishes to you. :)

SDNurseWannabe · Aug 22, 2005

Whew!

That's what I was hoping to hear. I can do the basics-I actually remembered a lot more than I thought I would.

Thanks!!

Lanie

Question · Aug 23, 2005

HELP! LOL
At our school college algebra is required before chemistry (for obvious reasons). I took Algebra in my 'former' college career 15 years ago and did pretty well (B). So, I don't HAVE to take algebra since I already have the credit but I'm sure I forgot as much as I knew back then. Do you think I will be able to use the formulas with little trouble? I got Algebra for dummies and even though it is really basic, I am remembering the concepts. I can't decide how stressed I should be over this. I will definitely be getting a tutor....
Any insights?
Lanie

First, I would recommend a solutions manual! If you have one you can do a lot of work on your own and if you stuck on a problem you can look at the manual and go through the steps. I am the type of person that has to see where I made the mistakes and see why I am doing it, the solutions manual help tremendously.

I would caution about it being very basic math, we had some logs and a little more advanced algebra than 7x + 2x = 9 but nothing the solution manual could not get me through. I took General Chemistry 1,2, and 3. General Chemistry 1 is the basic math but it gets a little harder in 2 and 3 but not by much. If you have a small class I would also recommend going the professor's office hours and asking for help. The top students in my Chem. class were at the office at least twice a week asking questions. Our professor was awesome and I hope you get a great professor too

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Aug 24, 2005

HELP! LOL
At our school college algebra is required before chemistry (for obvious reasons).

I took organic, inorganic and biological chemistry. It only suggested that you have basic algebra skills. I am taking stats this year so I am all done with my algebra stuff and I still had a hard time with some of the mole conversions and stuff. I ended up with an "A" in the class but my lab partner was a big help at explaining some of the stuff. He said that some people that asked him for help were still in pre-algebra and he did not see how they were going to pass the class...

Good luck with the algebra stuff. I do not know if your college has this, but ours has a special alegbra course that is just for brushing up on math... :idea:

Micci · Aug 24, 2005

HELP! LOL
At our school college algebra is required before chemistry (for obvious reasons). I took Algebra in my 'former' college career 15 years ago and did pretty well (B). So, I don't HAVE to take algebra since I already have the credit but I'm sure I forgot as much as I knew back then. Do you think I will be able to use the formulas with little trouble? I got Algebra for dummies and even though it is really basic, I am remembering the concepts. I can't decide how stressed I should be over this. I will definitely be getting a tutor....
Any insights?
Lanie

I get to skip chemistry, if I get accepted into the nursing program this year (long story). But, we had some algebraic equations in Biology and I had already brushed up with an algebra tutorial, so it was pretty basic for me. Once you have learned something, it is much easier to relearn it, even if it is years later- than to learn it for the first time.

mandrews · Aug 24, 2005

I get to skip chemistry, if I get accepted into the nursing program this year (long story). But, we had some algebraic equations in Biology and I had already brushed up with an algebra tutorial, so it was pretty basic for me. Once you have learned something, it is much easier to relearn it, even if it is years later- than to learn it for the first time.

My chemistry class was not what I would call basic algebra. There were lots of conversions. You might want to brush up on conversions. fahrenheit to celcius, lbs to grams, etc. My chemistry book sort of took for granted that you knew conversion values. I had a lot of word problems but you couldn't solve for x if you didn't know the conversion values ( for example how many yards in a mile)

melissa

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2005

I would skip over to a halfprice books store, or even amazon (used) or half.com and look into picking up a couple of algebra for dummies or just a couple of old math texts, just so you can refresh.