Intermediate Algebra Vs College Algebra

RBlis · Nov 11, 2015

Intermediate algebra is harder than college algebra, you have nothing to worry about

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

'Harder' is purely subjective...

A more optimal way of describing the course is this...college algebra simply builds upon the concepts and topics that should have been taught in intermediate algebra.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

Intermediate algebra is not harder, it's a remedial algebra class. So it's basically high school algebra. College algebra is very different. Intermediate still deals with polynomial equations and all that jazz. College is purely graphs. Graphing equations, looking at graphs and formulas and figuring out what is what. I whizzed through algebra 1 and intermediate. Then I barely got a B in college algebra. And it wasn't just me, several people dropped it because it was much more difficult.

i took it online and it's a 3 credit hour class. I spent 10 hours a week on it. That's not an exaggeration.

But it also depends on how your brain works. I really didn't care what kind of graph f3-9 looks like. Function was just way over my head.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 11, 2015

College algebra is so hard!!! For me, at least.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

mindofmidwifery said:
College algebra is so hard! For me, at least.

College algebra is brutal for me due to my poor foundation in basic math. I struggle with the basics such as fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions and other elementary school math topics. If the basics are not mastered, higher level mathematics tends to be an uphill battle.

Unlike other subjects, math is sequential: the latest math course builds upon previous math coursework. If you didn't completely master the topics covered in previous courses, this typically spells out trouble in the high seas.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 11, 2015

TheCommuter said:
College algebra is brutal for me due to my poor foundation in basic math. I struggle with the basics such as fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions and other elementary school math topics. If the basics are not mastered, higher level mathematics tends to be an uphill battle.
Unlike other subjects, math is sequential: the latest math course builds upon previous math coursework. If you didn't completely master the topics covered in previous courses, this typically spells out trouble in the high seas.

I completely agree with you. I'm terrible at fractions, adding and multiplying decimals without a calculator, etc. If you jump into college or intermediate algebra you definitely have to make sure you understand each step of what you're doing. Math is what I've been struggling with most in college.

ctaylar, RN · Nov 11, 2015

My basic math is pretty sound. I've tried to develop positive thinking thinking when it comes to algebra. The next section I have is evaluating rational expressions and it made my eyes cross. I will go back to it. We finish school at 16 in the UK, and I didn't do math at college, so a lot of what I am doing is unfamiliar to me. I am really nervous about the college algebra class.

JoseQuinones · Nov 12, 2015

Don't look at the algebra as a destination, but as a language. You will need that algebra to be able to speak the language of science in your chem and biochem classes, so the more you learn now, the easier it will be once you hit those subjects. There is no "easier," just fluent and more fluent.

Scottishtape · Nov 12, 2015

I agree it's subjective.

I left intermediate algebra in the upper 90s. It was pretty much a breeze class for me. College algebra, however, was brutal. I was extremely grateful I ended that class with a B.