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Jul - Craziness Domain - I hate Algebra New poll - New thread - New reply
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Bob-omb8194
Still Explodin'
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Posted on 11-28-09 11:56:17 PM Link | Quote
Seriously! I hate it so bad! I don't understand it, it's hard to understand, but I have to do it. Once I'm told how to do different parts of it, they automatically assume I know it 100%. If I get it wrong and do bad, they let me make it up - at the same or even harder level. And I was always told you use it everywhere, even though it isn't true. A ton of places / jobs, but not all of them.

So pretty much said, I dislike algebra. Anyone else find it hard? Anyone find it easy? Anyone hate it like me? I know a bunch of you can do much more advanced things, but for those who do, was it ever hard for you?

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Taryn

Passed away.

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1987-2014


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Posted on 11-29-09 12:08:55 AM Link | Quote
I didn't have much trouble with algebra in itself, but my Algebra 1 teacher wasn't very good at teaching algebra (she was also an English teacher). The thing that always mystified me was factoring arbitrary polynomials. Like, most people in math classes can factor x² + 3x + 4 just looking at it (or if it's unfactorable, they can determine it), and I'd rather slog through the quadratic formula instead of using clumsy guess and check.

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~Terra

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Post 917/1311 (41 days), online 1 day ago
Posted on 11-29-09 12:21:50 AM Link | Quote
Algebra isn't even the worst part of it ... once you get to calculus and have to do derivatives and integrals (and memorize quite a few things), things get even worse, not to mention there's still a lot of algebra involved

I easily scored above 90% in maths at high school (without studying), then that dropped to about 75% at college

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#51 
Joe
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Posted on 11-29-09 01:59:30 AM Link | Quote
Algebra? Do your worst!

I'm in calculus, which so far is just derivatives. The next part of my class is basically a unit of nothing but word problems. With derivatives.

I can't wait! :specialed:

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Taryn

Passed away.

Thanks for being a part of us, even if it wasn't always on the best of terms.

1987-2014


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Posted on 11-29-09 02:10:34 AM Link | Quote
Joe, wait until you hit integrals.

Let's start with a set of functions that are similar in appearance and use the same derivative rule, but have wildly different integrals.

∫ 1/x dx = ln |x| + C
∫ 1/x² dx = -1/x + C
∫ 1/(x² + 1) dx = tan-1 x + C
∫ x/(x² + 1) dx = (1/2) ln |x² + 1| + C
∫ x²/(x² + 1) dx = x - tan-1 x + C
∫ x³/(x² + 1) dx = (1/2)x² - (1/2) ln |x² + 1| + C

Notice how the initial function barely changes from one line to the next, but the answer jumps all over the place. (Yes, I did use a table of integrals.)

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~Terra

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Q
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Posted on 11-29-09 02:24:37 AM Link | Quote
I was sorta revered as an algebra god back in the day, so it was never really a problem for me. I even tutored it while I was learning the material myself, and I'm still pretty good at it when I use it these days.

In fact, if things go smoothly, I'll be using algebra for the rest of my life, so, no, I actually like algebra.
Post 919/1311 (41 days), online 1 day ago
Posted on 11-29-09 02:52:44 AM Link | Quote
And don't forget this one:

∫ e-x² dx

It's defined and can be calculated, but doesn't fit any function (it's a series) And yet its derivative is quite simple, -2xe-x² ...


I was actually quite good at it once I got through calculus again at university (but forgot how to do most integrals now) ... or at least it wasn't as bad as differential equations

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#51 
— Anya —

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Posted on 11-29-09 12:52:51 PM Link | Quote
I was terrible at it when I was younger...actually, still am. I didn't have anyone that knew how to do algebra so I was out of luck when I was trying to do my homework.

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Rena
I had one (1) message in Discord deleted and proceeded to make a huge, huge mess about how it was a violation of free speech and how moderators are supposed to be spam janitors and nobody should have the right to tell me not to talk about school shootings
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Posted on 11-30-09 09:38:22 PM Link | Quote
Post #2669 - 11-30-09 04:38:22 PM
I've always been good at it, but I'm utterly boned in this class because it's all lectures and I can't learn anything that way. I need some actual work to do. I have all this information copied down and don't understand a word of it. What the hell is an Eigenvalue!? AAAAAGH

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why not?
Aerakin
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Posted on 11-30-09 11:05:05 PM Link | Quote
Plain regular algebra I find pretty darn easy since I've had to use it everywhere at school.

Then you get to stuff like linear algebra, which isn't that bad, provided you pay attention.
Tyty

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Posted on 12-01-09 12:26:31 PM Link | Quote
Cirvy is trying to get me to learn calculus in my spare time.

...

Algebra is easier for sure. Of course, I've always found algebra easy.

Oh and

x² + 3x + 4 can't be factored I think. Nothing adds to 3 and multiplies to 4... but I'm probably wrong (It's early in the morning give me a break)

Now, if it were x² + 3x - 4 it could be factored easily ((x + 4)(x - 1))

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Cirvante
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Feel the wrath of eternal damnation please! I would appreciate that very much thank you!
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Posted on 12-01-09 06:09:39 PM (last edited by Cirvante at 12-01-09 03:11 PM) Link | Quote
Originally posted by Tei-la
x² + 3x + 4 can't be factored I think.


>__________>

x² + 3x = -4
x² + 3x + 9/4 = -27/4
(x + 3/2)² = -27/4
x = -3/2 ± i√3

Complex roots ftw \o/
also this

:3

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Bob-omb8194
Still Explodin'
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Posted on 12-01-09 07:58:33 PM Link | Quote
I get certain parts of algebra if I really focus 100%, but anything that I don't focus 100% on makes it harder. Sometimes if I go back and learn again I can do it, but some I'll probably never understand.

Some examples of parts I understand are square roots and radicals, some factoring, and the more simple things. Anything else that I didn't put down are either the ones I suck at, or I haven't learned them yet.

So really, I don't hate all algebra, but I dislike the things I don't understand fully. I take back the bad things said in the title and my first post. I'm hoping to go and really study the hard stuff, and be able to do it much better. But now I'm learning other things, some easy, some difficult.

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Tyty

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Posted on 12-03-09 02:19:45 AM Link | Quote
Originally posted by Cirvante
Originally posted by Tei-la
x² + 3x + 4 can't be factored I think.


>__________>

x² + 3x = -4
x² + 3x + 9/4 = -27/4
(x + 3/2)² = -27/4
x = -3/2 ± i√3

Complex roots ftw \o/
also this

:3

Oh fuck you and your complex numbers. >

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Drag
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Posted on 12-03-09 02:24:24 AM Link | Quote
1461
Algebra's no sweat, I actually really miss how simple algebra is. Calculus is what'll really mess you up in the end.

Originally posted by Terra
Joe, wait until you hit integrals.

Let's start with a set of functions that are similar in appearance and use the same derivative rule, but have wildly different integrals.

∫ 1/x dx = ln |x| + C
∫ 1/x² dx = -1/x + C
∫ 1/(x² + 1) dx = tan-1 x + C
∫ x/(x² + 1) dx = (1/2) ln |x² + 1| + C
∫ x²/(x² + 1) dx = x - tan-1 x + C
∫ x³/(x² + 1) dx = (1/2)x² - (1/2) ln |x² + 1| + C

Notice how the initial function barely changes from one line to the next, but the answer jumps all over the place. (Yes, I did use a table of integrals.)

Very good, now memorize every single one of those, and about 20 more, and then you have Calc 2!

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FieryIce

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Posted on 12-03-09 05:38:02 PM Link | Quote
I can do algebra with no real problem, I sometimes get stuck with some things but I understand it and I can work my way out of some problems. I haven't taken calculus yet and I think I never will
NSNick
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Posted on 12-04-09 06:53:29 AM Link | Quote




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Just wait until you gat to Laplace transforms...

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