Dear Algebra: YOU SUCK

[Zach]

Okay, I am taking Saxon Math's Algebra I class this year, and I can safely say that I am going to fail. No, really. I have a 55.4 average, and with another 0 going in Mrs. Massey (My teacher)'s grade book, I've fallen even lower on the grade scale. Everyone tells me "Oh, algebra is SO easy!" or "You are failing algebra? You are a retard!" and I must say I am in no way stupid. It's just that with the constant homework combined with my laziness I have dug myself a hole I can't get out of at this point. I wish I had tried harder but it's probaly too late now. Anyone have any suggestions on how to mend the ordeal and come out with the D needed to pass at my school?

[Artimus Gigan]

Okay, I am taking Saxon Math's Algebra I class this year, and I can safely say that I am going to fail. No, really. I have a 55.4 average, and with another 0 going in Mrs. Massey (My teacher)'s grade book, I've fallen even lower on the grade scale. Everyone tells me "Oh, algebra is SO easy!" or "You are failing algebra? You are a retard!" and I must say I am in no way stupid. It's just that with the constant homework combined with my laziness I have dug myself a hole I can't get out of at this point. I wish I had tried harder but it's probaly too late now. Anyone have any suggestions on how to mend the ordeal and come out with the D needed to pass at my school?







Is this College or Highschool?

I have an Algebra final tomorrow actualy...

[Zach]

That'd be high school.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Meh. Do the best you can. I just barely passed high school algebra when I was in high school.

[Artimus Gigan]

That'd be high school.Well....to laymen's terms, do good on the tests or you'll be screwed...

get those ""For Dummies books, they have some very useful math editions...


if you're wondering how I did, I pulled a B- to B usualy...but my math teacher for two years absolutely sucked, Senoir year the one I had was actualy good, but my College algebra teacher is excelent.

[Zach]

Okay, i'll try that...

[cross blues]

I wish I had tried harder but it's probaly too late now. Anyone have any suggestions on how to mend the ordeal and come out with the D needed to pass at my school?
you might want to ask the teacher if it's too late before you make that assumption. and if it's not too late, tell her that you are sorry for screwing around and you hope she'll help you do what you have to do to pass.

if the problem really is motivation: consider how much it would suck to repeat that class next year, semester or whatever.

if the problem is that you don't understand: get a tutor. ask the teacher for help. lots of people have trouble with math. nothing to be ashamed of.

if the problem is time: spend a little less time with your hobbies or, at the worst, spend less time on studying for a class that you have an A in. a B and a D is better than an A and an F.

[Jave]

If the problem is time, you should log out RIGHT NOW.

Am I the only one here that actually likes Algebra?

[Zach]

No, the problem is not time. I have all the time in the world to do it...

[True Noir]

No, I liked Algebra too. The only reason I was ever good at it was because I actually sat there and listened to the teacher speak, understand it, and if I didn't ask questions or go in for tutoring. You have to make it possible for yourself and give you the time you need. And even do whatever it takes for you to understand the stuff or else, it ain't going to be something you enjoy.

[Artimus Gigan]

If the problem is time, you should log out RIGHT NOW.

Am I the only one here that actually likes Algebra?I loves me some quadratic formulas!!!

[JetMaster5]

Personally, I'd rather write.

But really, to pass Algebra, or hell, to pass any high school class, all you have to do is constantly pay attention to what your teacher says in class and do all your homework.

[Zach]

Well... my main focus is English, and that consumes portions of my life, so I could cut that a little bit... (Not like trying in my English class gets you anywhere. I swear, I could be pulling a 100 average if my teacher was a mindless zombie. She is brain dead. Can't keep up with anything.)

[EinBebop]

My love for math is like 1/x, as x approaches 0. http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/love/face80.gif

[Roman Legion]

[left]Okay, I am taking Saxon Math's Algebra I class this year, and I can safely say that I am going to fail.

Huh, I rather liked Saxon's math books, myself. Especially the Calculus one. Prepared me for breezing through Calc I & II in college. It would have helped me breeze through Calc III as well, but my professor for that was an a... uhh... a jerk. :sweat:

What kind of highschool? And how is the class being taught? The best approach is to do every last problem in the book, one lesson a day, even if it takes up the rest of your day after finishing all your other homework. If you get stuck on a problem, try to explain the process to someone else, as if you were teaching them. That always got me past a lot of harder ones.

Be aware that some of the older Saxon editions have a number of errors in the answer keys. I sent a few corrections to the editors, back in the day. So be sure to check any answers you get wrong...

--Romey

[Lord Dalek]

HAHA! Wait til you see trig. ;)

[Roman Legion]

HAHA! Wait til you see trig. ;)

What's so hard about trig? You don't even have to remember that much. A lot of it can be derived on the fly with a little geometric thinking. :D Learning it from that angle makes everything far more obvious.

Anyway, if the school sticks with Saxon, I recall that Saxon doesn't single out trig as its own subject. They integrate it in a book called "Advanced Math" instead, which I found to be a refreshing approach. It makes more sense to understand trig as it relates to other concepts, instead of compartmentalizing it.

--Romey

[Zach]

Huh, I rather liked Saxon's math books, myself. Especially the Calculus one. Prepared me for breezing through Calc I & II in college. It would have helped me breeze through Calc III as well, but my professor for that was an a... uhh... a jerk. :sweat:

What kind of highschool? And how is the class being taught? The best approach is to do every last problem in the book, one lesson a day, even if it takes up the rest of your day after finishing all your other homework. If you get stuck on a problem, try to explain the process to someone else, as if you were teaching them. That always got me past a lot of harder ones.

Be aware that some of the older Saxon editions have a number of errors in the answer keys. I sent a few corrections to the editors, back in the day. So be sure to check any answers you get wrong...

--Romey
The class is being taught in a normal manner. We go every lesson and learn how to do it and then do the set for homework. The numbers are mind-blowing...

[purplehairedwonder]

HAHA! Wait til you see trig. ;)Which is what I'm having fun with right now. I'm also having a laziness problem, though I've been better about it in the last few weeks. I have an 84 and really need to pull it up before finals.

[Roman Legion]

The class is being taught in a normal manner. We go every lesson and learn how to do it and then do the set for homework. The numbers are mind-blowing...

It is a lot of work. Even though I used to enjoy math, I was never particularly fast with it, so I always used to spend hours doing all those problems for each lesson.

Was that the book with the "Casting Out 9's" lesson, near the beginning? Guh, I hated that part. To this day, after aaall the math classes I've had, the memory still torments me. :sweat:

--Romey

[Zach]

Casting out 9s must die. I swear it ticks me off.

[Mog]

For me, the hardest part of Algebra were the tests. the homework went smoothly, but the moment the test came it seemed like every problem had some outside variable that didn't work with the intended formula. I had to spend minutes on most problems just trying to figure out how to solve it rather than actually solving it. Man, I get mad just thinking about it.

Then came College Algebra and Statistics. Soon it will be Calculus. I can only imagine the fun I will have with that. I wonder if they have a "Calculus for Idiots, Procrastinators, and Idiotic Procrastinators" book. I'd buy it.

[Metroid_spy]

Okay, I am taking Saxon Math's Algebra I class this year, and I can safely say that I am going to fail. No, really. I have a 55.4 average, and with another 0 going in Mrs. Massey (My teacher)'s grade book, I've fallen even lower on the grade scale. Everyone tells me "Oh, algebra is SO easy!" or "You are failing algebra? You are a retard!" and I must say I am in no way stupid. It's just that with the constant homework combined with my laziness I have dug myself a hole I can't get out of at this point. I wish I had tried harder but it's probaly too late now. Anyone have any suggestions on how to mend the ordeal and come out with the D needed to pass at my school?

7th grade for me and we're taking Saxon's Algebra 1 this year. The bright orange book. haha. The homework's okay but when I get to the tests, I always start missing a ton of problems. I have no idea why. We're on like Lesson 96 or 97 and we already think it's hard when our teacher 'encourages' us that it will get even harder later. 7th grade is too much stress for me! Wonder what it'll be like in high school.... :shrug:

[Emmanuel Cruz]

I despise algebra as well. It's the only class I get a B in. My report contains all As, and the B from Algebra stands out like a sore thumb! Algebra is a class I don't care for and it's like another language for me. I'm glad this is my last year doing it (well until college:p)

-Emmanuel:bosko:

[Artimus Gigan]

For me, the hardest part of Algebra were the tests. the homework went smoothly, but the moment the test came it seemed like every problem had some outside variable that didn't work with the intended formula. I had to spend minutes on most problems just trying to figure out how to solve it rather than actually solving it. Man, I get mad just thinking about it.

Then came College Algebra and Statistics. Soon it will be Calculus. I can only imagine the fun I will have with that. I wonder if they have a "Calculus for Idiots, Procrastinators, and Idiotic Procrastinators" book. I'd buy it.They have a Calculus for Dummies book, i read through a few chapters in B&N while browsing

I've never taken Calculus or Triganometry course before though...but I probably could...considering there are numerious shortcuts for hardlooking problems...

[Fresh V]

Sorry for bumping, but I got some tips that might help you. I think I have the same book as you, and my teacher is really good (and cool!). I was doing pretty 'meh' in the beginning, but now I usually get good grades in it (partly thanks to my teacher!). Here are my tips:



Do your homework every day. Even if it takes you 3 hours, do it. You will eventually get faster.
If your teacher doesn't already make you, do corrections. Do the problems you did wrong again, and try to see if you can get them right this time.
If you don't get something, look at the tiny number next to the problem, indicating the lesson it was taught in, and flip back to that lesson to see how to do the problem.
Do it neatly. That helps.
That's about it. If I remember anything I forgot, I'll edit it.

[Chris Wood]

I would like to add that not only does algebra suck, its mother is a two-bit skank.

[Kurtman]

I'm doing very well in English and Art class but i'm flunking Algebra.

[Tenku]

I just about suck in math (Algebra 2 w/Trig) seeing that I have a 66 overall. I gotta take my test in oh... 3 hours. The cool thing is, to pass the class, I can get a 34. To get a C.... a 84, which is a feat. Either way, I still pass. This is my first legit D since Honors English (63)

Not that I'm proud of it. I just hope it doesn't drop my rank. I'm in the top 15% in my class. Next year, it's Algebra 3 w/ Stats (which I have been told it's Pre-Cal discreet) :shrug:

[Zach]

Well, I have a 54 right now... and I have till Thursday to yank that up... I think i'm going to have to retake this class next year... :sweat:

[Frank Castle]

Right now I'm not doing very well in algebra. But that's ok because school is for fools!:)

[Tenku]

Woo, passed the class...

I had to make a 34... I got a 56. Yeah, not great but I least get credit. I'll NEVER procrastinate on math EVER. :shrug:

[Squisheee]

Or maybe just my math teachers this year. I used to be an excellent math student. I started out this year in Saxon's Algebra I. Near the middle of the first trimester, I started to slip, so they moved me down to Pre-Algebra, who taught my math last year in 7th grade. I have never liked his math teaching skills, and now I'm gonna to end up failing 8th grade because I know I'm failing math. I'm so mad at him. I have tried to ask him for help, but it's like he's learning the lesson right along with us!

[Beguiled]

Or maybe just my math teachers this year. I used to be an excellent math student. I started out this year in Saxon's Algebra I. Near the middle of the first trimester, I started to slip, so they moved me down to Pre-Algebra, who taught my math last year in 7th grade. I have never liked his math teaching skills, and now I'm gonna to end up failing 8th grade because I know I'm failing math. I'm so mad at him. I have tried to ask him for help, but it's like he's learning the lesson right along with us!
Ugh, that must SUCK. My friend has a teacher like that. He's horrible, he skips around in the book then whenever someone needs help he can't help them but never gives a clear answer as to why.

However, my math teacher ROCKS!!! :D I love algebra! LOVE IT. :D I dunno, me and my brother both hated math when we were younger, but now we both love it and are pretty good at it. So that makes it a lot better!

[MahouShoujo13]

Well...your homework grade is supposed to help your average, but since you've fallen behind on them..it won't apply to you now.

Unfortunately, I could say you could pull of an 100. OR...get a tutor.

If it's time, then cut some clubs for a bit. Even though you enjoy them, it could be the cause of you failing. You might want to take a hiatus from here as well.

If it's just laziness, think about how it would suck having to take the same class AGAIN. That would get you working.

[EightOh]

I despise math. I absolutely despise math.

Algebra's kind of cool, though. It's bizarre.

[Conan-san]

Join the club, is all I can say. I'm going to fail Higher (12th or so grade?) Maths and to be honest I should of never picked it in the first place. (but then again, I more or less have a University place in the bag so I don't need to repeat).

And to those saying "Remove time from other subjects" I have this, my wise words, to say.

"He who runs away from certain death, will only die exhaused."

In short, why burn out the subject you are going to pass in favour of a subject that, if the 9 planets are aligned, pigs grow wings and hell frezes over and Labour make a compentent decision all at the time time, you might just scrape a C/D.

[True Noir]

I remember getting my Algebra in the beginning of the year and looking at it like "we are so not going to finish this 700 page textbook by the end of the year". Boy, was I wrong. We're almost done with the book now and getting near the glossary. It's really surprising how I've done 300 pages of homework from this book. I like Algebra somewhat now, but next I take Geometry and I despise Geometry. I hate drawing the shapes and making the angles. And what better, I'm also taking two math courses. *smacks self* Yeah, I'm an idiot but you got to do whatcha got to do. :shrug:

[Mittenz]

I just finished my Trigonometry class this semester. I got an 87.6, B+.

[True Noir]

I just finished my Trigonometry class this semester. I got an 87.6, B+.
Wow. a B+ at my school is a 92.4. That's a huge difference in grading scales.

[Mog]

Wow. a B+ at my school is a 92.4. That's a huge difference in grading scales. Wow. Do you go to an honor school or something? 92.4 for a B+ is crazy. My HS did it the easy way. <59.9=F, 60-69.9=D, 70-79.9=C, 80-89.9=B, and >90=A. I thought that was the only way unless the curve lowered it. I've never heard of a school raising the curve.

[True Noir]

No, I go to a public school, but for some reason my school always wants to higher the grading scale up a notch or ten. >_> Our grading scale is way above the expected one for the state of Indiana. It kinda sucks though because you have to constantly monitor your grade to watch and see if it's almost on the minus mark or not. It goes something like....

A- and above 93-100
B- and above 86-92
C- and above 74-85
D- and above 66-73
F is 64 and down

So there is...a small difference between ours.

[Zach]

I currently have a 57, and if I can manage a 70 on my exam, I pass... :sweat: