Intermediate Algebra..... Ugggg!

ICAN! · Mar 4, 2009

I feel your pain! I'm taking Algebra 1 and am having a bit of a hard time too. Someone suggested to work the problems over-and-over again until you have it down so that's what I am doing. Hopefully my next test will be better than the last one.

rholman · Mar 4, 2009

That usually works for me too. I will just practice the problem over and over until I get it but I don't understand how to work out some of the problems. If I could grasp how the problem is solved then I could practice.

Where do they come up with some of this stuff. It's stupid and sooo irrelevant!

Anyway, let's think happy thoughts! We can get through this. :rolleyes:

new_mom2005 · Mar 5, 2009

Ohh Honey... i feel your pain also!!!!! I HATE HATE HATE MATH.... I just go over it and over it until I know if enough to pass the tests........

I really wish I liked math. but I just cant " get into it"

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ......YOU CAN DO IT :wink2:

ICAN! · Mar 5, 2009

You can also google the type problems your doing ("quadratic equations" for example) and you will find all kinds of web sites that might help. There are even some problems explained on you tube. One site that has helped me is http://tulyn.com/videotutorials You have to set up a login and pswd. and it's free.

mochabean · Mar 5, 2009

I"m taking that class right now. It's okay, although that slope intercept graphing stuff boggles my mind!

boat · Mar 5, 2009

I feel your pain! I took a&p and microbiology the same semester and it was not as bad as int. algebra!

What I found, was when I really tried to understand it, I confused myself more.

So, I focused more on the formulas and just how to get a problem done through a series of common steps.

I would work on one example and just not really think about what I was doing, but go through what I knew I was supposed to do to work it out. Does that make sense? I just broke each problem down into steps and once I had the right formulas down, it went better.

I wound up going from a c to a b+ when I changed my thinking to this way.

Wish I could help more, there are some good tutoring websites online.

Good luck, it will be over soon!

Boat

js408 · Mar 8, 2009

Most schools have free math tutoring. Get a good math tutor. Don't wait until you fall behind and it's too late.

I hate this class!
I have never been a wiz at math but I passed Basic and pr-algebra with an A but this class makes we want to cry. I just can't grasp some of the concepts and the teacher moves too fast.
This is my last math class then I can move on to my science classes. I had a test last week and will get the results back today. I just need to pass this class with a C, I don't care if I don't get an A.
I'm just venting and need lots of encouragement to get throught this. Counting the days till it's over

aawilwcb · Mar 8, 2009

I hear ya, I got a D on my last math test, and I have another one Tues. I must must must do better!!! I only have 4 test for a final grade so even if I do well on the next 3 test i will be lucky to pull a C or B-. I really hate math

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 9, 2009

I'm in intermediate algebra too! This is my fourth attempt; I dropped it the first three times early on due to scheduling conflict or horrible instruction. I have a great teacher and I think that makes all the difference. He teaches algebra without teaching algebra, if that makes sense! He has managed to teach me graphing and slope intercept without EVER saying he was trying to, LOL!

The interesting thing about this teacher is he doesn't teach from chapter 1 through to the end. He bounces all over the book, back and forth, building on ideas, tearing them down, so everything seems way easier. He doesn't care about terms but defines them. He is more interested in us getting the idea, not the right answer. He's a bona fide mathematician, rather than a guy who teaches math. He says DON'T get caught up on the problems you get wrong, focus on getting them finished. That has helped me a ton not to spend untold minutes staring at problems trying to figure out the place I lost the process.

rholman · Mar 9, 2009

My last test I received an 82 (B). I guess I am used to getting an A my last 2 classes. I really think it is the instructor that is making it so hard. I have another test this Wednesday. A few of my classmated used the free tuitoring offered by the school and they were not that helpfull. At least I am not falling behind but its really been frustrating. I can't wait for it to be over. As i mentioned before I will be happy with a C for passing. Thankfully it will not be included in the nursing pre-reqs when they re-calcuate my GPA.

Good Luck to all of us

notthereyet0 · Mar 9, 2009

I know that everyone will say that algebra is really impt for thinking skills, and blah, blah, blah, but why can't they have us do a pharmacology math - dose figuring class for our math requirement. We have to learn the math sort of by ourselves and then get tested on it. So many of the students sound lost, with such an impt skill...is there any one else that this makes sense to?