How can I improve my algebra

[MisterPresident]

I just realized I suck at Algebra. Actually, it's more like I've just admitted it. Throughout high school AP Chem, Physics and Calculus courses, I had some troubles. Usually, I understood the concepts being presented with no difficulty.

However, I absolutely dreaded problems sets and exams.. not because I didnt understand them, but because they required doing algebra. I usually thought they were busywork and didn't do them. I did fine on the tests nonetheless. Eventually I made the mistake of buying a TI-89, which made me even lazier with its solve function.


Don't get me wrong..... it's not that I can't follow algebra when its being demonstrated by a teacher or a textbook. It's just that when its on ME to figure out which operation to perform on which term, I suck.

After taking a intro econ class in which most of my errors were algebraic, I think it's finally hit me that algebra isn't going away. Especially because I love the subjects that make use of algebra. I just don't like algebra. I don't want to not take classes because I'm afraid I'll divide out a 'y' before subtracting an 'x'.

I've decided I want to improve, but don't really know how. My college doesn't have any math classes "below" calc, and I'm not sure just reading my old 8th grade textbook is going to do me any good.

I really want to learn. I find solving problems RIGHT and EFFICIENTLY invigorating. My favorite memories of high school were probably my physics teacher working his elegant magic on the whiteboard, manipulating variables and equations just right.

So what should I do?

 

[Eeezee]

Practice?

Go back through middle school and retake algebra?

I guarantee that your college has a college algebra course... but try a community college in your area, there has to be a way for you to take that course

 

[SVT Cobra]

practice is the only way

your problem was you never practiced it...more so than any other math course it has to be nailed down so it becomes second thought

you probably do not need to take a course in a C Collge though because it is very simple and you already mostly know it...just get one of those yellow books at wal-mart and review it...that always helped me in college when I forgot something....review it AND CTUALLY DO the practice problems

 

[esun]

Agreed. Practice like mad. You have to able to see solutions quickly and easily to most problems, or have a strong sense of what to do. Just do more problems. Easier said than done, naturally, but you've got to do it.