I Need A Nerd

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='the171' timestamp='1333953801' post='2414699']
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
[/quote]

Now now, no need to beg. By all means, try to do the impossible and explain this to me.

[quote name='BigJon16' timestamp='1333952449' post='2414687']
Just wait till you get to Calculus...talk about a headache.
[/quote]

Gee, you're really helping with this whole anxiety problem of mine.

[4588686]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1333953889' post='2414702']
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.
[/quote]

I mean what was the context within which that statement occurred? Maybe if you provided a link that would help.

[AnneLine]

Miles,

I'm not a math nerd -- far from it! But i can understand and relate to your problem, and I may be able to help in a different way.

I really struggled in high school with math. I didn't know I had a learning disability that hit me strongest in math until I was in my late 20's. I could work around language stuff, but I couldn't get the basics of the algebra down for the LONGEST time, and I didn't know I was reversing things, and doing other things that muddied the waters. But I did know I hated math and was terrified of it... so I identify with your frustration...

Part of the problem was that I couldn't explain my problem, so it was really hard to get any help! I felt like an idiot! But I knew I wasn't. Back then there weren't any on-line videos (well, there wasn't any on-line!), so all I could do was work through work books on my own and pray for a miracle.

God did send me that miracle... but not in the way I expected.

I didn't have any plans to go to college, but God intervened.... like you with the GED, I needed to at least start college and be doing OK to go forward with what God wanted me to do. That meant I had to pass an 'elementary math' test at colllege. Once I had that taken, it won me the right to take another math class. Lovely.

I was so tempted to give up... but God and I worked out a plan. This is what I did... maybe some of it will help.

Learning math is really like learning reading. if someone doesn't know how to read letters, or how to break a word into syllables, it is almost impossible to learn to read harder books. In the same way, trying to do algebra if you are missing some of the steps will be really hard.

I realized that part of my problem was that I was missing some really basic math concepts I should have learned years before. You may find that part of the problem is that you are missing some basic steps... you will have to look into that for yourself.

First, I got hold of a 'diagnostic test' for basic arithmetic and gave it to myself. (They have some in study work books for lkids) If you feel you can talk to a teacher or someone who tutors people, they will be able to help you find some of these. You want to find a test that will help you pinpoint what areas you are missing.

I was in my late 20's.... and it was humbling to have to face that while I might read at a college level, my math really was at about 4th grade level. I knew some of it - but my math-mind was like a swiss coagulated milk with a lot of holes. But I needed to pass that test, and I knew that I needed to pass it to get on with what God wanted me to do. OK, that helped. It was the reality; this was what God's will for me looked like TODAY..

I started back with the 4th grade math work books and started doing the problems. No I am not kidding. I played with flash cards. I did what I needed to do to get down the stuff I missed. Learned decimals and fractions. Some of it I got fast... other stuff was really frustrating, and I wanted to toss the books across the room a lot of times (ok, truth - I DID toss them a lot of times!)(and cried and screamed when I was by myself sometimes!) But I found that as I worked on my math, my patience and humility grew... and I was becoming more confident. As I worked on my math, I got the miracle I sought. I learned to push myself lovingly, but to not push too hard. But I learned to recognize my own frustration signals... when I needed to stop... to go for a walk, get a drink, and come back to it and be patient with myself as I learned to do the problems step by step. It took time, but slowly I started to get it. I started to understand the new language. I practiced the discipline - the penance really! - of doing 1 hour of arithmetic... and later algebra... and geometry... every day. Even on vacations and Christmas!!!! It was frustrating, but I kept it up, and I offered my 'homework' to God as a gift... and targeted souls to pray for. Would not have been the penance I would have chosen for myself, but it proved a good one for me!!!

Sometimes I got frustrated. I learned that the thing to do was to go back a step. It was hard, it was humbling, but I could see progress. Pretty soon -- in just a few months! -- I was up to 8th grade level! I celebrated--I had just passed 4 grades in 1 year! Wheee! At 29 I was finally where I should have been at 13--but it was progress!

Then it was time to tackle Mt. Algebra. Oh joy! The first thing I learned was that I needed to SLOW DOWN even further!!!! Why? Because now I was working in new territory.... and if I tried to take any short cuts, or go forward when I wasn't sure, I would miss something. I never got great at math, but I learned what I needed to to pass the test I needed to pass. Took me a year, but I did it.

Truth time -- Like 171, I liked geometry better, and chose college math that built on that strength! You'll figure out where your strengths are as you work the problem. You'll even learn that if you know how to do MOST of the problems, you can skip a few and still get a good enough grade to pass. There are some problems I know I don't get... and I don't stress over them.

I never thought I would go to college -- much less graduate school! When God made it clear I needed the graduate school degree - I had to do statistics. Oh no..... but you know what.... what I had learned about slowing down, writing down every step, practicing, got me through my stats class, too. And I think you can do this.

(I know you don't think you'll want to go to college, but God may have some surprises for you.... and he certainly wants you to tackle the GED, right?)

Now.... If I were a little devil, I'd try to tell you it was hopeless, and that God didn't love you, and that you'll never make it through your test and that means you'll never make it into the seminary. And you know what.... that devil would have fun doing it to you, 'cause he's a mean little devil. But they lie, and they tell you half truths... and that is what that fear is. The REAL truth is that you don't have to do anything today more than just spend some time on one math problem.... and that is what God's will looks like today. You don't even have to get the answer right... you just need to try to do it for love of God. And you'll scare him back if you laugh at him and tell him that you are happy to do this math problem for some soul that needs the graces. So don't let some silly devil scare you. God will see you through if you can learn to trust Him enough to do it one day at a time.

So, yes, this about Math... but it is about a whole lot more. Good stuff to talk about with your new director, too!

I'm praying for you... and I think you can do this.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I won't be entering that order if there is such a requirment ever,well possibly in heaven mathmatics is easier without any sin,Unless there is some kind of spectacular miracle in my life. I needed 1 on 1 coaching for maths in year 8 and i advanced quickly from c class to b class.

[homeschoolmom]

Would it be possible to ask your parents to find you a math tutor or hs class? My daughter struggled trying to do algebra on her own. HSdad tried to help, (he used to be a math teacher), but he was pretty busy and inconsistantly available. She's in a homeschool math class and it's made a world of difference.

[AnneLine]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1333953889' post='2414702'] 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. [/quote]


I totally agree about trying to get an in-person tutor -- ideally not a parent. It does help A LOT!

But,

I'll make a stab at demystifying this for you. Hopefully I won't confuse you more.[font="Times New Roman"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font]
[font="Times New Roman"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font]
Feedback:

I watched your video, and my first reaction was... ok... followed by, huh? followed by how did you get there? (sound familiar?)

Then I watched the video again. This time I slowed down. I stopped the video every step of the way, and made absolutely sure I understood what he was saying. I could FEEL my brain creaking... those who have no problem with math won't understand what I am talking about but I bet you do. After a few tries, it finally fell into place.

My reaction is that the video guy is presuming we know stuff we may not know, or may only know part-way. He explains the difference between an 'expression' and an 'equation' -- but it took me a few times to get what he was talking about--and it is a crucial link that he just glosses over. And I think if you don't get the difference, you are going to get confused and possibly get lost. So I will try to put it into words:

You wrote:

[color=red][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]What original equation? It just said "Take the quantity -5 times x, and then add -2", and that's it.[/font][/size][/color]

[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]You are right. There isn't an equation. Ther is no "=" sign, so no equation. That means they do NOT want you to solve anything.[/color][/font][/size]

[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]So what do they want you to do?[/color][/font][/size]

[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]All they want you to do is write the phrase as a mathematical expression (like a phrase in a sentence). It would look like this:[/color][/font][/size]

[color=#0000ff][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]-5[i]x[/i] - 2[/font][/size][/color]

[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]Now how did I get that????[/color][/font][/size]

[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]You probably remember that when you put a number next to the "[i]x[/i]" it means to multiply x by that number. If it is a negative number, you multiply it times the [i]x[/i] and the [i]x[/i] (which is a postive number because they didn't tell you otherwise) will end up as a negative number. If you multiply it by a positive number, it will remain a positive.[/color][/font][/size]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#0070c0][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][b]This is a good thing to memorize:[/b][b] [/b] [/font][/size][/color]
[i][color=#0070c0][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] (there are proofs for why this is true, but for this argument just memorize it.)[/font][/size][/color][/i]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#00b050][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] Positive times a positive is a positive 5 x 5 = 25[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#00b050][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] Negative times a positive is a negative -5 x 5 = -25[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#00b050][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] Negative time a negative is a positive -5 x -5 = 25[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"][color=#000000]The video guy also expects that you know this: [/color][/font][/size]

[color=#0070c0][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]Adding a negative is the same as subtracting. [/font][/size][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#00b050][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] + - 2 is the same as -2[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"][color=#000000]You don't need to know what "X" stands for (it's not an equation, you aren't trying to 'solve' it -- just be able to express it. All you need to know is that what ever "[i]x[/i]" is, you have -5 of them (That's what they were saying with the cows, etc.)[/color][/size][/font]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[color=#0070c0][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]We'll substitute "PLUS" for 'AND THEN ADD' (because that is what those words mean)[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
[size="3"][font="Times New Roman"]And that is how you get:[/font][/size]

[color=#0070c0][size="3"][font="Times New Roman"] -5x-2[/font][/size][/color]
[color=#0070c0][font="Times New Roman"][size="3"] [/size][/font][/color]
I hope this helps!!!!

Edited April 9, 2012 by AnneLine

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1333954915' post='2414711']
I mean what was the context within which that statement occurred? Maybe if you provided a link that would help.
[/quote]

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/solving-linear-equations-and-inequalities/e/writing_expressions_1

[4588686]

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1333991346' post='2414925']
[url="http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/solving-linear-equations-and-inequalities/e/writing_expressions_1"]http://www.khanacade...g_expressions_1[/url]
[/quote]

AnneLine explained it above.

As I recall from chat you're going to need to study up to quadratic equations. So, while plenty of us would be happy to help explain somethings it would really be best if you could also get some comprehensive instruction as a foundation and that Khan stuff and this site served more as supplemental assistance. Just some advice.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1333967120' post='2414750']
Miles,

I'm not a math nerd -- far from it! But i can understand and relate to your problem, and I may be able to help in a different way.

I really struggled in high school with math. I didn't know I had a learning disability that hit me strongest in math until I was in my late 20's. I could work around language stuff, but I couldn't get the basics of the algebra down for the LONGEST time, and I didn't know I was reversing things, and doing other things that muddied the waters. But I did know I hated math and was terrified of it... so I identify with your frustration...

Part of the problem was that I couldn't explain my problem, so it was really hard to get any help! I felt like an idiot! But I knew I wasn't. Back then there weren't any on-line videos (well, there wasn't any on-line!), so all I could do was work through work books on my own and pray for a miracle.

God did send me that miracle... but not in the way I expected.

I didn't have any plans to go to college, but God intervened.... like you with the GED, I needed to at least start college and be doing OK to go forward with what God wanted me to do. That meant I had to pass an 'elementary math' test at colllege. Once I had that taken, it won me the right to take another math class. Lovely.

I was so tempted to give up... but God and I worked out a plan. This is what I did... maybe some of it will help.

Learning math is really like learning reading. if someone doesn't know how to read letters, or how to break a word into syllables, it is almost impossible to learn to read harder books. In the same way, trying to do algebra if you are missing some of the steps will be really hard.

I realized that part of my problem was that I was missing some really basic math concepts I should have learned years before. You may find that part of the problem is that you are missing some basic steps... you will have to look into that for yourself.

First, I got hold of a 'diagnostic test' for basic arithmetic and gave it to myself. (They have some in study work books for lkids) If you feel you can talk to a teacher or someone who tutors people, they will be able to help you find some of these. You want to find a test that will help you pinpoint what areas you are missing.

I was in my late 20's.... and it was humbling to have to face that while I might read at a college level, my math really was at about 4th grade level. I knew some of it - but my math-mind was like a swiss coagulated milk with a lot of holes. But I needed to pass that test, and I knew that I needed to pass it to get on with what God wanted me to do. OK, that helped. It was the reality; this was what God's will for me looked like TODAY..

I started back with the 4th grade math work books and started doing the problems. No I am not kidding. I played with flash cards. I did what I needed to do to get down the stuff I missed. Learned decimals and fractions. Some of it I got fast... other stuff was really frustrating, and I wanted to toss the books across the room a lot of times (ok, truth - I DID toss them a lot of times!)(and cried and screamed when I was by myself sometimes!) But I found that as I worked on my math, my patience and humility grew... and I was becoming more confident. As I worked on my math, I got the miracle I sought. I learned to push myself lovingly, but to not push too hard. But I learned to recognize my own frustration signals... when I needed to stop... to go for a walk, get a drink, and come back to it and be patient with myself as I learned to do the problems step by step. It took time, but slowly I started to get it. I started to understand the new language. I practiced the discipline - the penance really! - of doing 1 hour of arithmetic... and later algebra... and geometry... every day. Even on vacations and Christmas!!!! It was frustrating, but I kept it up, and I offered my 'homework' to God as a gift... and targeted souls to pray for. Would not have been the penance I would have chosen for myself, but it proved a good one for me!!!

Sometimes I got frustrated. I learned that the thing to do was to go back a step. It was hard, it was humbling, but I could see progress. Pretty soon -- in just a few months! -- I was up to 8th grade level! I celebrated--I had just passed 4 grades in 1 year! Wheee! At 29 I was finally where I should have been at 13--but it was progress!

Then it was time to tackle Mt. Algebra. Oh joy! The first thing I learned was that I needed to SLOW DOWN even further!!!! Why? Because now I was working in new territory.... and if I tried to take any short cuts, or go forward when I wasn't sure, I would miss something. I never got great at math, but I learned what I needed to to pass the test I needed to pass. Took me a year, but I did it.

Truth time -- Like 171, I liked geometry better, and chose college math that built on that strength! You'll figure out where your strengths are as you work the problem. You'll even learn that if you know how to do MOST of the problems, you can skip a few and still get a good enough grade to pass. There are some problems I know I don't get... and I don't stress over them.

I never thought I would go to college -- much less graduate school! When God made it clear I needed the graduate school degree - I had to do statistics. Oh no..... but you know what.... what I had learned about slowing down, writing down every step, practicing, got me through my stats class, too. And I think you can do this.

(I know you don't think you'll want to go to college, but God may have some surprises for you.... and he certainly wants you to tackle the GED, right?)

Now.... If I were a little devil, I'd try to tell you it was hopeless, and that God didn't love you, and that you'll never make it through your test and that means you'll never make it into the seminary. And you know what.... that devil would have fun doing it to you, 'cause he's a mean little devil. But they lie, and they tell you half truths... and that is what that fear is. The REAL truth is that you don't have to do anything today more than just spend some time on one math problem.... and that is what God's will looks like today. You don't even have to get the answer right... you just need to try to do it for love of God. And you'll scare him back if you laugh at him and tell him that you are happy to do this math problem for some soul that needs the graces. So don't let some silly devil scare you. God will see you through if you can learn to trust Him enough to do it one day at a time.

So, yes, this about Math... but it is about a whole lot more. Good stuff to talk about with your new director, too!

I'm praying for you... and I think you can do this.
[/quote]

Thank you for the wonderful advice. The ironic part about all of this is I am good at math. I love doing division and multiplication, and I especially love showing my parents how good I am at it since I never thought I would get this far. However, unlike the other subjects, the Khan Academy just isn't getting through to me. He explains how to solve the equations, but as you point out, when you practice the subject, he doesn't want you to solve the equation. So why doesn't he just tell me what he wants me to do instead of teaching me something and expecting me to know how to do something else that he doesn't teach in the first place?

But really, thank you so much for this post, it really does help. I have told myself that this is simply the devil trying to drag me away from my possible vocation, but even a small bit of doubt can eat you away in the long-run, and I do not have what you would call the highest self-esteem or self-confidence.

It is true that I do not want to go to college, but really, this is simply convenient, since I could not afford college anyway. People always say I could get a job and get student loans and scholarships, but I don't think so. We built a new house and we are under a lot of debt. Last year I really wanted to go to Saint Lawrence High School Seminary, but even though it is only ten thousand dollars a year, and they have never turned away a student because he could not pay, my dad still said we simply could not do it. I was very disappointed, as I thought this would be a wonderful way to get smarter, get holier, help foster my vocation, and even make friends. However, my circumstances do not leave room for such petty things, unfortunately.

Thankfully, despite my mother hating math, she always got A's in algebra, so she said she could help me today. Of course, I will have to wait for Rush Limbaugh to be over first. She wouldn't willingly miss him for anything.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1333992038' post='2414940']
AnneLine explained it above.

As I recall from chat you're going to need to study up to quadratic equations. So, while plenty of us would be happy to help explain somethings it would really be best if you could also get some comprehensive instruction as a foundation and that Khan stuff and this site served more as supplemental assistance. Just some advice.
[/quote]

Well, he is the only one that is effective in teaching me. He taught me everything I know, and he is the only reason I am at this point. If it were not for him I would still be piddling with multiplication. He teaches every other math subject from the ground up, so I am not sure why he would not do this for the most hated math subject on the planet.

[AnneLine]

Hi, Miles,

OK, good. You have some experience with doing well in math - that will serve you well.

You have a good track record of working with your father as your tutor - good again.

If you find for some reason studying with him doesn't work this time(he doesn't have the time, you aren't following what he is saying), don't be afraid to try a different tutor. You also may want to try my suggestion of going back one step and be sure you understand the previous step... and then try to see how to get from the last thing you understood to the next step. Sometimes it really is about making a leap.

Algebra leaps always feel to me like jumping with my eyes closed -- with geometry, and least I can 'see' where I am jumping!

Did you look at my second post when I broke down the problem for you? Can you see how I got to [color=#0070c0][size=3][font=Times New Roman]-5x-2[/font][/size][/color]? If you aren't sure how to get there, I think you might be missing some pieces you need to do the problem. That's not a disaster; it is a little detour. Think about starting with that problem with your dad, especially if you can't follow what I am doing. I think the problem could be that you are missing a piece one step before that first lesson.... and I don't know enough about what you have studied to know what piece(s) you are missing. [color=#008000]But I bet you can find it and get it down.[/color]

I liked what Hasan said, too -- when you are a little more comfortable with the basics, if you get stuck, people here can help you. But you need to do that piece first, because otherwise you won't be able to ask the questions, and we won't understand how to help you.

Feel free to let us know how this is going, because we really do care.

P.S. -- you did a great job of asking for help and not getting too frustrated by the way.... way to go!

Edited April 9, 2012 by AnneLine

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1333993744' post='2414972']
Hi, Miles,

OK, good. You have some experience with doing well in math - that will serve you well.

You have a good track record of working with your father as your tutor - good again.

If you find for some reason it isn't working this time (he doesn't have the time, you aren't following what he is saying) try going back one step and be sure you have the previous step. Sometimes it really is about making that leap (and there are a lot of those in Algebra - geometry it is easier to 'see' the steps, at least for me.

Did you look at my second post? Can you see how I got to [color=#0070C0][size=3][font=Times New Roman]-5x-2[/font][/size][/color]? If you aren't sure how to get there, think about starting there with your dad, because I think the problem could be that you are missing a piece one step before that first lesson.... and I don't know enough about what you have studied to know what piece(s) you are missing. But I bet you can find it and get it down.

I liked what Hasan said - when you are a little more comfortable with the basics, if you get stuck, people here can help you.

Feel free to let us know how this is going, because we really do care.

P.S. -- you did a great job of asking for help by the way.... way to go!
[/quote]

Actually, when I said "him" I meant Sal Khan, from the Khan Academy. If it hadn't been for him and his wonderful videos I wouldn't be here complaining about algebra because I wouldn't be at algebra yet. However, I need someone to teach me algebra from the ground up. I literally do not know anything about algebra and I need someone to teach it to me like they would someone that did not know anything about it. Sal Khan does not do this, and no other online math guy does that I can find, unfortunately. They all assume you know the basic steps.

I did read your second post, but as I said, I cannot read this and make sense of it. I need someone to show me in real life. I am a hands-on person. I need to do it myself and have someone coach me through every single step.

I wouldn't say "good job" really, because I do not have anywhere else to turn for guidance with algebra, really. But, you never know, as stated before, my mother got A's in algebra, so hopefully she can help me. She is a pretty good teacher and I think she can do the seemingly impossible.

Edited April 9, 2012 by FuturePriest387

[AnneLine]

Ok. Sounds like a good plan. And you are not panicing. Way to go!

Show your mom my email with the problem and see if she can help you figure out how to get started.

My bet is that you probably are missing a few pieces from earlier parts of mathematics (remember, I had this same problem.....), and seeing if you can find one of those 'diagnostic test' things will help figure out what it is. I might be able to track one down for you if you want to PM me... took some tutoring classes and may still have stuff around the house (I am a packrat!). Make sure your mom is OK with your doing that, however.

There also may be a 'study for the GED' class at your local community college. They have great tutors in my area who literally start with people who can't add basic 5+6=11 math.... and they get them thru the GED. Again, PM me if I can help.

[brianthephysicist]

AnneLine, you're amazing. I wish I wasn't out of props. Futurepriest, she gave some amazing advice, listen to her.


FP I agree with the hands on approach 100%. I can't learn or explain anything without the hands on element. If your mom isn't able to help you, it might be worth it to go to private tutoring, something like sylvan or paying a high schooler/undergraduate.

If that isn't an option, my friend spent some time doing online tutoring. It's pretty much like skype-ing with a tutor, but it's got a built in math feature that allows for both typed in math as well as a simple doodle feature to scribble out (either with your mouse or with one of those specialized stylus pads) exactly what you mean.






Just remember with all of this, everyone's got their own strengths and weaknesses. As my name suggests, I'm pretty good at math, but what usually bites me in the butt is that I'm a terrible writer (...says the man dating a journalist???? ). It's honestly a problem for me to express myself in written word. I have a thought and I can't get it to paper, or if I can it takes me significantly longer than it ever should.

Even posting on this forum is difficult for me. Anything more than a silly picture or simple retort and I'll spend 30+ minutes trying to type a response before I just get fed up and don't bother saying anything. It's suffocating. I've been at this post for over an hour and I'm past fed up but I haven't walked away because I NEED to tell you to keep at it. I'm pretty sure I've lost my coherence but I don't care anymore. The basic idea is that nobody's superman. We've all got things we're terrible at. And that's OKAY. We all work through this life at our own pace

[AnneLine]

BrianthePhysicist... you are my hero!

I get the out-of-props thing... (a pet peeve!!!) so I'll take a prayer in place of props any day!

Glad you think my advice was helpful... . I have at LEAST twenty 'doctorates' in working thru crud that is connected with my own diasabilities...

...and spent a long time learning to be a good tutor... and for a long time thought I would be a special ed teacher. So I can totally understand and empathize. But i can't spell or do numbers in my head... and God tells me it is to keep me from getting proud. Well... it works. Only too well it works!!!!

There are amazing people with gifts for helping people get through this kind of block, and I hope (and will pray!) that FuturePriest finds one or more of them. I sure wish someone had said this / done this for me! I'm a pretty good tutor, probably because I do know what it is like to be there... and to struggle to express myself (for me the words were easy.... mathematics and some sciences, not so much!

But I learned to LOVE astronomy and that made it worth it to struggle through the math I needed. But easy... NO!

I do love the comment of Gene Kranz (Apollo 13 flight controller... and a good Catholic and one of my HEROES!) regarding how what to do when the Apollo 13 mission ran into trouble:

[color=#ff0000]"We need to stop banging off the walls, People! Let's work the problem, and not make it any worse by guessin'" [/color] Exactly.

I also cherish a memory from a kid in my Brownie troop who wandered into my college economics textbook (the one that sent me to get tested for a learning disability and figure out what was going on, btw... but that is another story!). She was sitting on MY sleeping bag (bad!) and had gotten into my backpack (double bad!) ... and she looked up at me with a look that said, now you look reasonably intelligent.... and voiced the following comment: "You pay money to do this?"

I loved it! That comment has gotten me (and my college friends!) through more math struggles than I want to remember!

If you have probs putting stuff on paper, Brian -- you did a REMARKABLE job. Keep on with it... you can develop that gift. Really!

I am intrigued by the skype tutoring thing -- I do a lot of distance teaching (more literary/applied theo stuff) and it would be SO HELPFUL to be able to use a tool like the one you were outlining. You will never know how hard it was to figure out how to write out those equations with the Phatmass 'writing' tool-- a math tool it sure isn't!!!!! (no complaints, dUSt!)

Makes sense you would do well combining talents with a journalist.... especially if she has some math challenges.... I sit here helping people learn to be good Secular Order members and to go through the Spiritual exercises... and encourage people with practical wisdom... and my husband does the taxes. Definitely works for me!!!!!!!!!

I love this thread because it reminds me that that God will use what we have and transform it into something beautiful if we let Him tweek us. Most of us get tired of being tweeked and listen to the propaganda from the negative side.

Let's encourage eachother to listen to the GOOD people and angels that make us move forward.. not the ovices that hold us back!