College Algebra tips and help

[dontspeakmuch]

I'm pretty weak in math. The numbers can be intimidating, sometimes it looks foreign. I dont have a good base so sometimes I find that I may know the answer but I question whether I can actually solve the problem the way I solved it and I over think it. Conversely, sometimes I oversimplify problems. Any tips in college algebra? short cuts? mantras? Im currently working on polynomials and finding zeroes, synthetic division... I passed my entry exam with a near perfect score so I skipped remedial courses but I cant even do basic long division now I need to know how to do long division with polynomials. Radicals (the square roots) really mess with me. Good news is this is my last math class EVER

 

[godkiller]

Visit KhanAcademy.com and begin at the beginning with revision on older topics. Progress to new ones once you've mastered the fundamentals.

I re-learned long division on KhanAcademy.com and tested myself until I could divide large numbers quickly and efficiently.

 

[dontspeakmuch]

Visit KhanAcademy.com and begin at the beginning with revision on older topics. Progress to new ones once you've mastered the fundamentals.

I re-learned long division on KhanAcademy.com and tested myself until I could divide large numbers quickly and efficiently.

preciate it

 

[Type Username Here]

What worked for me was learning about how certain things were discovered or created. Try to understand the mind frame, history and philosophy of the math subject. This helps put you in a frame of reference and helps you to build conceptual understanding. This has always worked for me on most subjects.

Ask yourself:
"How did people use this? How do they use it now?"
"What were the circumstances that led to this being used?"
"How did they discover/create this?"

I can't guaranteed it will work for you but it damn near always works for me, all the way up to much more advanced math.


Try to watch this so you can get a basic history lesson of algebra and geometry:

 

[Chris.B]

plenty of free algebra video courses on the internet..download them

 

[dontspeakmuch]

What worked for me was learning about how certain things were discovered or created. Try to understand the mind frame, history and philosophy of the math subject. This helps put you in a frame of reference and helps you to build conceptual understanding. This has always worked for me on most subjects.

Ask yourself:
"How did people use this? How do they use it now?"
"What were the circumstances that led to this being used?"
"How did they discover/create this?"

I can't guaranteed it will work for you but it damn near always works for me, all the way up to much more advanced math.


Try to watch this so you can get a basic history lesson of algebra and geometry:

For sure, I'm up on this. It is my belief that math is the language of the universe and that the rules of math are based on observations of natures patterns, this interests me and is close to me because we can discuss it and represent it with words but to do it numerically is (not that bad, I just like that face). Regardless, I appreciate the help and I'll check out the video.

 

[NERO]

I'm pretty weak in math. The numbers can be intimidating, sometimes it looks foreign. I dont have a good base so sometimes I find that I may know the answer but I question whether I can actually solve the problem the way I solved it and I over think it. Conversely, sometimes I oversimplify problems. Any tips in college algebra? short cuts? mantras? Im currently working on polynomials and finding zeroes, synthetic division... I passed my entry exam with a near perfect score so I skipped remedial courses but I cant even do basic long division now I need to know how to do long division with polynomials. Radicals (the square roots) really mess with me. Good news is this is my last math class EVER

Khan is pretty good but there are other tutorials out there. "College Algebra" is a language and a process used to characterize and help solve certain problems in mathematics, and in order to become fluent you need to do your homework and get face time with your professor or TA. It might help to learn about the history of algebra and understand the concept of generalization.

On a basic level you can think of some of the single variable problems you will see like a game of Jeopardy. You are given the answer but what is the question? That is the type of thinking that will provide a small boost to you. I used to think of solving for unknown variables and later, systems of equations as untying a knot in a shoelace.

 

[bigDeeOT]

Every time I forget how to do division with polynomials I look it up on purple math.

Anyway college algebra is not hard bruh it just takes time to learn it. Try to understand what's the point of you doing this or that. Then do a bunch of problems. Try and connect the dots. It'll all click

 

[dontspeakmuch]

Every time I forget how to do division with polynomials I look it up on purple math.

Anyway college algebra is not hard bruh it just takes time to learn it. Try to understand what's the point of you doing this or that. Then do a bunch of problems. Try and connect the dots. It'll all click

much apprecciated, i'll be in tutorials tomorrow tho my dude. I wish i could plus rep you, that -260 doesnt seem like something you deserve.

 

[Dr. Acula]

Visit khan academy.

Also look up PatrickJMT on youtube. I would say he is on par with Khan academy. Those two helped me through most math up to Calc 2. This Linear Algebra shyt is kicking me ass though..

 

[Domingo Halliburton]

check out wolfram alpha