I Need A Nerd

[PhuturePriest]

*Note* I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post this kind of stuff on here, but I need help.

Basically, I need someone to help me with algebra. But it seems to me that, despite looking at videos that claim they make it all "crystal clear", by the end it is like looking into a moat, just as before. I have always been a person that needed someone to show me how to do something complicated in person, show me what to do, show me what to do a few more times after that, and then coach me step-by-step as I try a few problems myself. When I try to read step-by-step explanations in books, it is as if I am reading Latin (Which is in fact easier to read!), and it never helps. I got help from a very nice person on this site, but it seems it is simply not enough, though this is not her fault, but mine. I am starting to panic as I cannot enter Seminary without my GED, and if I cannot even grasp basic algebra, how am I supposed to even dream of doing advanced algebra, let alone do the insane things the professors put Seminarians through because they have a sick and twisted humor? I know this thread may seem pointless because, as stated, I need someone to teach me in person, but I need to vent for a moment. I will most certainly share these worries of mine to my spiritual director during our first meeting, but since I do not know when or even where that meeting is going to take place, I have decided to take it here in the meantime. Any input, or better yet a person so smart at algebra even someone like me can understand? My dad said he will help me tomorrow and will explain it to me, but this might not result the way I would like it to. He is good at math, but he is very hyper and goes really quick so I do not follow him very well.

To answer a possible future question that may be asked in order to understand and help me (If you should be so brave to choose such a perilous task), no, I do not have any learning disabilities.

Edited April 9, 2012 by FuturePriest387

[InPersonaChriste]

I use a lot of Khan Academy, but like you mentioned "you have no need for more links"

if you send me a message I will attempt to help you, but I must warn you, I am no master.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='InPersonaChriste' timestamp='1333949964' post='2414677']
I use a lot of Khan Academy, but like you mentioned "you have no need for more links"

if you send me a message I will attempt to help you, but I must warn you, I am no master.
[/quote]

I do too. Unfortunately, the video did not help me. He shows you how to do it, but when you click "Practice Concept" it looks totally different and if you do it the way he told you to it says you're wrong. If not even Sal Khan can help me, who on earth can?

[Anastasia13]

I'm about to tutor the GED once a week.

Edited April 9, 2012 by Light and Truth

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Light and Truth' timestamp='1333950409' post='2414679']
I'm about to tutor the GED once a week.
[/quote]

That is interesting. Since you are a tutor, do you know if there are high pass rates for the math section?

[4588686]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1333949830' post='2414676']
*Note* I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post this kind of stuff on here, but I need help.

Basically, I need someone to help me with algebra. But it seems to me that, despite looking at videos that claim they make it all "crystal clear", by the end it is like looking into a moat, just as before. I have always been a person that needed someone to show me how to do something complicated in person, show me what to do, show me what to do a few more times after that, and then coach me step-by-step as I try a few problems myself. When I try to read step-by-step explanations in books, it is as if I am reading Latin (Which is in fact easier to read!), and it never helps. I got help from a very nice person on this site, but it seems it is simply not enough, though this is not her fault, but mine. I am starting to panic as I cannot enter Seminary without my GED, and if I cannot even grasp basic algebra, how am I supposed to even dream of doing advanced algebra, let alone do the insane things the professors put Seminarians through because they have a sick and twisted humor? I know this thread may seem pointless because, as stated, I need someone to teach me in person, but I need to vent for a moment. I will most certainly share these worries of mine to my spiritual director during our first meeting, but since I do not know when or even where that meeting is going to take place, I have decided to take it here in the meantime. Any input, or better yet a person so smart at algebra even someone like me can understand? My dad said he will help me tomorrow and will explain it to me, but this might not result the way I would like it to. He is good at math, but he is very hyper and goes really quick so I do not follow him very well.

To answer a possible future question that may be asked in order to understand and help me (If you should be so brave to choose such a perilous task), no, I do not have any learning disabilities.
[/quote]

Almost everyone here has studied basic Algebra and a fair number have training in college level maths. Why not just post what confusions you have here and see who is willing to explain it to you?

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1333951049' post='2414681']
Almost everyone here has studied basic Algebra and a fair number have training in college level maths. Why not just post what confusions you have here and see who is willing to explain it to you?
[/quote]

Well, I just need someone to explain the very basics to me. I know about variables and constants and what-not, but I need to figure out how to do the process and why it works. I am looking at a video that may help, I am not sure. I'll tell you how it goes after I watch all of it.

[Winchester]

You don't need algebra. Just quote Lysander Spooner at your teacher.

[PhuturePriest]

So, again, the video made tons of sense, but when I pressed "Practice Concept" it looked totally different and confused me.

[PhuturePriest]

To make it clear, the video showed an algebra equation that said "7 x = 14". Obviously, this was easy to read, as this is saying "7 times 2 = 14". He explained how to do equations like this one even when they were way more complicated. However, when I pressed "Practice Concept" it said this: "Take the quantity -5 times x, and then add -2" Um... what? Does that mean negative five and negative 2? I'm just not sure. It never said anything about this in the video. The equations look totally different on the videos than when you practice them, as you can obviously see.

[BigJon16]

Just wait till you get to Calculus...talk about a headache.

[the171]

Algebra II hurts enough, but Calculus will get you out of purgatory. Geometry is a breeze though! Don't worry about that class!

[4588686]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1333952256' post='2414686']
it said this: "Take the quantity -5 times x, and then add -2" Um... what? Does that mean negative five and negative 2? I'm just not sure. It never said anything about this in the video. The equations look totally different on the videos than when you practice them, as you can obviously see.
[/quote]

What was the original equation?

[the171]

I'M A BEAST WHEN IT COMES TO ALGEBRA I NOW! Last year, not so much. But geometry cleared it up. I want to solve math problems!!! Let me help!! Hahahha

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1333953709' post='2414698']
What was the original equation?
[/quote]

What original equation? It just said "Take the quantity -5 times x, and then add -2", and that's it. It doesn't say anything else. If you click "Give me a hint" it just says confusing stuff that only makes it worse. It might as well say "Take the quantity of cows and then add the moon". It makes absolutely no sense at all.

Edited April 9, 2012 by FuturePriest387