Winchester Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1334014450' post='2415165'] Why can't you ever build people up rather than tearing them down???? [/quote] Algebra isn't a person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1334013926' post='2415159'] Well first of all, I felt like that was somewhat too blunt. I was going to edit it to mention more that your feat is certainly possible but my laptop froze up. Most middle-schoolers learn very basic algebra. At least my middle school did. Basic things like solving simple equations. I would begin by looking up HS teachers on the website of your local HS and emailing them to explain your situation and ask if they can aid you or point you to where you might be able to get some aid. If that doesn;t work or the teachers really are of very poor quality then I'd look to higher education. [/quote] Actually, thanks to this link http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/introduction.html things are easier now. I realize it is for younger ages, but the visuals helped me to realize what all of you have been saying. You all actually helped me understand it better when I had the visual. I'm not saying I know it 100%, but I am finding it easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='Maggie' timestamp='1334014488' post='2415167'] If you can't afford private tutoring and your parents can't help then pleeeease consider going to the public school and asking for help. That is what public school is for - it is supposed to be a free and effective alternative. It doesn't mean you have to graduate from the local high school. It means you might need to enroll temporarily to get the training you need. Math is the kinda thing where you can't learn it just from somebody else who happens to be really good at math. You have to learn it from someone who is good at it and is good at *teaching* it too. Whole different barrel of monkeys. [/quote] No. It is there to make him into [s]a good citizen[/s] an obedient piece of government property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Just so I'm clear, in this equation: x -2 = 4 When I add on the left side to make it a regular 2 and then add two on the right, what do I do if it is not a negative 2? Do I want to subtract and make it -2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1334014903' post='2415174'] Just so I'm clear, in this equation: x -2 = 4 When I add on the left side to make it a regular 2 and then add two on the right, what do I do if it is not a negative 2? Do I want to subtract and make it -2? [/quote] If the equation is: x+2=4 then you would subtract two on both sides and get x=2. Does that answer your question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1334013926' post='2415159'] Well first of all, I felt like that was somewhat too blunt. I was going to edit it to mention more that your feat is certainly possible but my laptop froze up. Most middle-schoolers learn very basic algebra. At least my middle school did. Basic things like solving simple equations. I would begin by looking up HS teachers on the website of your local HS and emailing them to explain your situation and ask if they can aid you or point you to where you might be able to get some aid. If that doesn;t work or the teachers really are of very poor quality then I'd look to higher education. [/quote] Don't worry, it wasn't too blunt. It helped, actually. I have not been completely open to all options. I have reason for not being open to the public school for personal reasons in which I will not get too far into, but basically, the teachers hate us because we home school, and if they find out I'm behind they will be drooling all over and will immediately call the authorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) I'd get my fly swatter, but W. isn't worth my time to swat. I think what Hasan and I are trying to say as gently as we can is that there are some things you need to learn before you will be able to learn the algebra. Yup, in most schools they do start to cover basic stuff that is the building blocks of algebra in middle school. They don't call it that, but yes they do that. I let you know what I think you are missing... and I bet there may be some more. Not the end of the world -- just reality. If you are basically good with math, you'll have an easier time with this than I did... I think you are further toward the finish line than I was. You can do this. That's why getting hold of one of those diagnostic test things will help - it will point out what you know (YES!) and what you sort-of know (ok.... I think I understand that, tell me more....) and what you don't know at all (Huh? What are you taling about?) It sounds like you are reacting to the very simple algebra problems the third way, so it looks to both Hasan and me as if you are missing some things you will need to know between math and and starting algebra. So... the first thing you need to figure out what they are and fill in the holes. The fact that the link intended for younger kids math is helpful, kind of confirms this, yes? If you can work someone and start at that point, I bet this will fall into place. Many home-schooled people (and those who like to learn on their own) need to get help from live people at one point or another. I'm not going to get into the whole thing about what whether the schools are good, or whether you should have learned more by this point. It really doesn't matter. All you need to focus on is what do I need ot do FIRST if my goal is to get thru that test. You live in a farming state, right? As any farmer will tell you -- if you don't prepare the soil right, nothing will grow. So... right now you are doing something critical. You need to figure out what you need in your soil to grow 'algebra'. It's not enough to get some 'algebra seed' and plant it. You need to talk to people who have grown this thing before... and maybe get some help RIGHT NOW because this is when you need the help. If you can get this piece fixed, you may be able to get what you want in a year or two. You're hoping to get there in a year or two. Bueno. Maggie is right about finding someone who is good at math and good at teaching. There are people who are good at math in high school and college and are good at teaching it to other people and who LOOK for people like you to help at those high school math labs and community college math tutoring programs. They love getting other people excited about math! They can help you figure out what you are missing and how to get to the point where you can study better on your own -- but I agree with those who say math is much harder to do by yourself... and you can learn stuff wrong if you aren't careful. Talk to your parents about what options might be there for you. At least you can connect with a teacher in a public or catholic school --I'd ask someone in maybe a 5th or 6th grade class room.....to help you figure out what you are missing and to design a plan that will work. Blessings, AnneLine Edited April 9, 2012 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pax_et bonum Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) [u]The goal is to get x by itself.[/u] x - 2 = 4 add 2 to both sides and get x = 6 x + 2 = 4 subtract 2 from both sides to get x = 2 Edited April 9, 2012 by Pax_et bonum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1334015166' post='2415178'] I'd get my fly swatter, but W. isn't worth my time to swat. [/quote] Victory is mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 As I recall from that time when I looked up the content of the Kansas GED math section you are going to have to learn the basics of Algebra up to the pre-calc level. I doubt that you have to learn the more difficult aspects of that level of math but you do need to have a fundamental understand of the math up to that level (functions, quadratic equations et cetera). That is significantly more complicated than these very basic equations. It's not that terribly difficult but it is a lot to teach yourself when you're already behind and having to learn things at a significantly accelerated rate and it would be very difficult to explain the processes through text. So I would take what Maggie said to hear and really try to enroll in public school temporarily or get after school help. This might help. [url="http://www.passged.com/student_blogs/curtis/2008/03/10/ged-question-from-austin-quadratic-equations-and-graphs/"]http://www.passged.com/student_blogs/curtis/2008/03/10/ged-question-from-austin-quadratic-equations-and-graphs/[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister Marie Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 AnneLinne... are you a teacher? because if you aren't you would be a really good one... that was a great pep talk and very good advice! It's so much more important to focus on what the problem is now and how to fix it than anything else... keep your eye on the algebra prize. I feel ready to do algebra now too!... except I have to write my science lesson plans... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 If you undertand those equations, this may start to fall into place for you. If you aren't understanding those equations, don't painic... it just again means you are missing some pieces. Breathe... take it one step at a time. I'll check back later - way to go Pham.... I wish you had been there when I was stuck.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 [quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1334015166' post='2415178'] I'd get my fly swatter, but W. isn't worth my time to swat. [/quote] I often find that the best solution in dealing with negative people is to just ignore them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) By Saint Andrew! I figured out algebra! Of course - what you do on one side you do on the other! It simply makes too much sense to understand at first! Edited April 9, 2012 by FuturePriest387 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 [quote name='Sister Marie' timestamp='1334015561' post='2415181'] AnneLinne... are you a teacher? because if you aren't you would be a really good one... that was a great pep talk and very good advice! It's so much more important to focus on what the problem is now and how to fix it than anything else... keep your eye on the algebra prize. I feel ready to do algebra now too!... except I have to write my science lesson plans... [/quote] Isn't she so great? I wonder how good she is at chemistry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now