How Algebra Changed My Life

Algebra is not an easy subject for many people. It is full of letters, numbers, and rules mixed together to represent real life problems that are hard to swallow for anyone who doesn’t look at the world from the perspective of a mathematician. In his essay, “Wrong Answer: A Case Against Algebra II”, Nicholson Baker addresses this problem and explains why he thinks Algebra II should not be seen as a staple in the education of High school students.

I view learning as acquiring new lenses in which to better see and understand the world around me. While each subject in school has given me invaluable lessons and information throughout each year, I feel that no other subject has given me a lense so impactful and far-reaching than math. Understandably, the basic courses such as middle or high school algebra and geometry felt vague and abstract because then I was only learning math as a language but not its applications. However, when I moved on to calculus and statistics, math became a lens that could make things clear that I didn't even know were “blurry.” I found that everyday of calculus or statistics classes, I left with more questions than I had entered with. I began seeing my refrigerator

Yes, math can be confusing and frustrating. However, that does not mean that you cannot learn it. Take advantage of the free online math flashcards Varsity Tutors offers. Use them on your own or with friends. Consider them to be mini-study sessions. The more you look at and think about something, the better you understand

Before we even consider the benefits of algebra, and the benefits of abstract skills, there is an elephant in the room that must be discussed: why is algebra so difficult for students? In “Is Algebra Necessary?” (2012), Andrew Hacker claims “algebra is an onerous stumbling block for all kinds of students,” saying that algebra “blocks further attainment for much of our population” due to high dropout rates coupled with low math scores on transcripts. He believes that forcing students to take algebra means that fail will be

It was only last year, my math teacher opened my eyes about the importance of math and how we need it to survive. On the first day of school, sophomore year, my math teacher started the class off with why does math matter? Mr. Howard, my teacher, recognized my vintage New York Giants shirt at the time, so he used that as his example. With a background in construction, he was familiar with architecture. He explained the mathematics involved in cutting the metal, making the field, setting up the bleachers, the goalposts, the field distance, constructing the actual shirt. After that class, I realized math is all around me, I just need to look for it. My experience in math class changed that year. In the previous years, I actually didn’t care about what I was learning, I just wanted to receive a good grade. Math, in my mind, went from a bleak, strange nightmare, to a fun, engaging environment, full of ideas that could potentially change the

I remember a time in my life when I had to learn algebra. I struggled with it when I was in the 9th grade; I couldn't never get it right and couldn't catch on fast. Math has always been easy to me , but when I got in the 9th grade it got hard. One day at home I just sat down and started working on the problems.

As the end of my middle school years close, I can definitely see and feel an improvement of my math skills compared to last year. I improved on my quick learning abilities, negative numbers and unknown variable skills. I was able to do that by paying attention and taking notes. This will definitely help in the future because I have more knowledge in math and I will be able to use for high school. All I did to get over my not-so-great-skills is study and pay attention more.

Walking into a room of aspiring ninth graders and teaching them the basics of Algebra was a startling experience for me in the current state of education in Detroit. As I tutored the freshmen, I noticed an interesting trend; the students I tutored in math, compared to other subjects, seemed to have the most difficulty.

(Lakin, 2011). Algebra can be an area of mathematics you don’t realise you use until you understand it further, for instance I felt I had not used algebra since leaving high school. Where I have used it many times from doing grocery shopping for example buying 5 orange juices at $3.48 each, I could then write a formula in my head J x 3.48=Y and filling my car up with fuel at 1 liter of fuel is $0.89c, I need 20L of fuel. So the sum would be L x 0.89c x 20 = Y, or if not knowing the price of fuel L x Y x 20= 17.80. Lakin (2011) calls this creating a formula using symbols. During schooling I didn’t not understand algebra at all which made me quite nervous when looking in to this area. It was not explained well enough for me to realise it was not as complex as what I thought it to be. After reading through Lakin (2011), researched meanings and undertaking tasks on MyMathLab, Mathspace and explained by my tutor my knowledge grew and I became more confident. With activities from our units weekly tasks of What I Know About and Thinking Time Problem as seen in Appendix A, doing these tasks made me understand what the term algebra meant when using it mathematics. And found doing the TTP in appendix J more easier to understand when using X and Y as symbols for the unknown numbers. I found algebra to be intriguing and an area of

Its Tuesday and I'm in my last class of the day, Algebra. I usually can't wait for math, but today I can barely look at the numbers without my head hurting. I haven't been able to concentrate on anything all day. But, what does catch my attention is the big red clock. 10 Minutes left until school's out. I sit my finished math to the side. And, I retrieve my keys and my phone. I unlock my phone and see that I have an unopened message from Brendan.

In high school the 8th grade I started having trouble with math and math has been a trouble for me every since. I am in college now and I did not get the correct help I needed. I am in college and having more trouble in higher college math , the most trouble math I had was Algebra. Algebra was so badly confusing that I my mind would be blank for hours at a time . I hated going to math class because I could never understand what Mr.Smith was saying an get it because it was already hard for me to learn with my ADHD and

I would like to share with you the knowledge I have accrued during my time at Alvin Community College. I tested into college algebra when I first registered, but since I had been out of school for 14 years I felt the need for my skills to be refreshed and strengthened. I have struggled with math since algebra was first introduced. I took Developmental Math with Mrs. Hallaway and Intermediate Math with Mr. Best here at ACC. My developmental and intermediate algebra classes have shown to be a good stepping stone to help me in your class and on a day to day basis.

It was finally Friday. The end of the week had come at last. In a few short hours, school would be over and Sabbath would be here. Eyeing my stack of homework, I inwardly sighed. My mental to-do list seemed to stretch endlessly to some unseen point in the distance. I had so many things to finish before Monday: lab reports, history journals, annotations in Prophets and Kings, and Anatomy & Physiology reading assignments with follow-up questions. There was also orchestra music to practice and a PSAT to study for. My stress levels skyrocketed as I attempted to convince myself that I could finish everything in one afternoon.

Freshman year of highschool was my first ever Algebra class. Growing up math had never been my strong point, I’ve always been English-minded. However, in my first year of what they call real math, the rest of my algebraic career was decided for me. Going into high school as a freshman you never know what to expect, what teachers are the rights ones, or what classes you should finish as soon as possible. That year I was placed unwittingly in a class run by a teacher named Kovic. Kovic, at this time, was two years away from retiring and had had tenure for years. The tenure position had totally dried him out and sucked him dry of all motivation to teach well in his classroom. He was lazy, sloppy, and completely incompetent and that is why I believe that tenure is the worst thing to ever happen to the public education community.

Mathematics, like every creation of man, have evolved without really knowing how far you can get with them: the scope of the computer, physics, chemistry, algebra, all are evidence of this. Every aspect of our culture is based in some way or another in Mathematics: language, music, dance, art, sculpture, architecture, biology, daily life. All these areas of measurements and calculations are accurate. Even in nature, everything follows a precise pattern and a precise order: a flower, a shell, a butterfly, day and night, the seasons. All this makes mathematics essential for human life and they can not be limited only to a matter within the school curriculum; here lies the importance of teaching math in a pleasure, enjoyable and understandable way. Mathematics is an aid to the development of the child and should be seen as an aid to life and not as an obstacle in their lifes.