can I learn math?

[Chiropteran]

Yeah, so anyway I took all the usual courses in highschool, up through AP Calc, though I barely passed and didn't really learn much of anything.

But that was 9 years ago, since then I have forgotten everything past basic algebra. I didn't go to college and I have no desire to pay real money to learn.


Yet, now I am interested in learning advanced math so I can actually understand some of the complex formulas behind superstring theory.

How should I go about this? Do you think I can re-learn calculus just by reading wikipedia articles? Should I buy a book?

 

[Theb]

You could look for a used Calc book. You can find them cheap if it's an old edition.

 

[notfred]

Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

 

[royaldank]

Possible? Sure. Something that you'll accomplish? Probably not. No offense, I just don't think many people nowdays have the follow through to learn upper level math on their own from books.

 

[JDrake]

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

That's a good idea. Take a class, it might cost more than a book, but you'll learn more/more efficiently.

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, for a lot of the upper-level math you really need an instructor to be effective.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: joedrake

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

That's a good idea. Take a class, it might cost more than a book, but you'll learn more/more efficiently.

More than likely if you take a class, you'll need a book too.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

No, I won't. I can't learn anything in a classroom, unless it's a really great teacher who actually teaches. Any teacher who gives homework as a teaching method fails that test.

I don't deny that homework might work for some people, just doesn't work for me. If I want to learn at home on my own I can do it without paying to take a class at nova.

/rant over

 

[LumbergTech]

i dropped out of school in the 10th grade and I just got back into school..taking pre-calc next quarter..yes im behind but im doing a pretty good job..ive been getting 3.5s in math and 4.0s in my other classes..dont give up on yourself

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

No, I won't. I can't learn anything in a classroom, unless it's a really great teacher who actually teaches. Any teacher who gives homework as a teaching method fails that test.

I don't deny that homework might work for some people, just doesn't work for me. If I want to learn at home on my own I can do it without paying to take a class at nova.

/rant over

As evil as homework is, it's absolutely necessary, especially in math. You can't learn how to play a sport well just by watching it - you need to practice.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

No, I won't. I can't learn anything in a classroom, unless it's a really great teacher who actually teaches. Any teacher who gives homework as a teaching method fails that test.

I don't deny that homework might work for some people, just doesn't work for me. If I want to learn at home on my own I can do it without paying to take a class at nova.

/rant over

So, you can't learn from a teacher if they assign homework, but you *can* learn if you buy a book and essentially assign yourself homework, without ever having anyone explain how to do it?

 

[pray4mojo]

to be honest, i've learned most of my math through hw problems assigned from the teacher/professor. i do not take notes in math but i do pay attention in class. while i think its possible to teach yourself, i still think that having an instructor would make it a lot easier.

 

[neegotiator]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

No, I won't. I can't learn anything in a classroom, unless it's a really great teacher who actually teaches. Any teacher who gives homework as a teaching method fails that test.

I don't deny that homework might work for some people, just doesn't work for me. If I want to learn at home on my own I can do it without paying to take a class at nova.

/rant over

So, you can't learn from a teacher if they assign homework, but you *can* learn if you buy a book and essentially assign yourself homework, without ever having anyone explain how to do it?

seriously...how does that make sense? a teacher who assigns hw that tests your knowledge fails your test as a good teacher?

 

[mjh]

Just like everyone else said, I think it would be much more effective if you enrolled in a local community college math class.

Originally posted by: LumbergTech
i dropped out of school in the 10th grade and I just got back into school..taking pre-calc next quarter..yes im behind but im doing a pretty good job..ive been getting 3.5s in math and 4.0s in my other classes..dont give up on yourself

Congrats on getting back into school!

 

[arcenite]

That doesn't make much sense to me. No offense, but it just sounds like you are not willing to put in the time and effort that is required for any college level course. In order to learn anything you have to be able to focus. Over the years I have had a lot of trouble studying myself, because I have trouble focusing. I just tell myself if I want to pass a class I have to do it.

By you telling us that you are not willing to do homework because it is a terrible teaching method and it doesn't work for you, tells me that you aren't willing to learn at all. You have been doing homework since the first grade, if you have to make an excuse as to why you don't want to do homework, you might as well prepare yourself to flip burgers the rest of your life.

Not saying that if you don't goto college you can't do something with yourself, but it sounds to me you are not willing to work for anything.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
As evil as homework is, it's absolutely necessary, especially in math. You can't learn how to play a sport well just by watching it - you need to practice.

Why can't I practice in the classroom with the teacher available to help me when I get stuck?

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: arcenite
That doesn't make much sense to me. No offense, but it just sounds like you are not willing to put in the time and effort that is required for any college level course. In order to learn anything you have to be able to focus. Over the years I have had a lot of trouble studying myself, because I have trouble focusing. I just tell myself if I want to pass a class I have to do it.

By you telling us that you are not willing to do homework because it is a terrible teaching method and it doesn't work for you, tells me that you aren't willing to learn at all. You have been doing homework since the first grade, if you have to make an excuse as to why you don't want to do homework, you might as well prepare yourself to flip burgers the rest of your life.

Not saying that if you don't goto college you can't do something with yourself, but it sounds to me you are not willing to work for anything.

No, I have never been doing homework. I had poor grades in school because of this, but in the end I passed. Mainly because I did well on tests.

The difference between learing myself at home and having a teacher assign homework is that I can learn at home on my own with no pressure. I actually read and study bercause I enjoy it. When it's homework, I am only doing it because it's required, I'll do whatever I can to get the assignment finished without learning a single thing. It's just how my mind works- anything I am forced to do is looked at as a task to complete and get it over with.

 

[gigapet]

Doesn't MIT offer all there curriculum online for free now?? Yes they do. This includes access to Prof Notes, Homework assignments, tests, ETC.

Why dont you follow MIT curriculum for a Math Major.

 

[phisrow]

Resources for lower level math are readily available, and quite cheap. Algebra I/II, Geometry, Calculus, etc. haven't changed substantially in ages, so an older edition of a good textbook will suit you fine. As you get higher, an instructor is likely to be more useful, and important; but you can still get all the books easily enough. Wolfram's Mathworld and/or wikipedia can also be useful.
Also, depending on where you live, getting access to state college libraries can be cheap or free(in MA, state libraries are linked to public libraries, and interlibrary requests are free. YMMV). For higher level stuff, this could save you considerable money, if you have what it takes to learn by books alone.

 

[ucdbiendog]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: notfred
Communtiy college classes are cheap. You can take calculus for probably $100, and you'll learn a lot more with an actual teacher.

No, I won't. I can't learn anything in a classroom, unless it's a really great teacher who actually teaches. Any teacher who gives homework as a teaching method fails that test.

I don't deny that homework might work for some people, just doesn't work for me. If I want to learn at home on my own I can do it without paying to take a class at nova.

/rant over

As evil as homework is, it's absolutely necessary, especially in math. You can't learn how to play a sport well just by watching it - you need to practice.

absolutely. teachers dont assign homework to do the work for them.. they assign it to support and build on what they teach in class. Also, the nice thing about college is that teachers have office hours. Often times you can go to these office hours and discuss the homework learning far more than any lecture will ever teach. But in my opinion, it is VERY difficult to learn math by picking up a calc book and reading. they are 95% of the time very poorly written.