Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

algebra calculator


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> algebra calculator Page: [1] 2 3 4 5   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:19:18 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline 		Is there a calculator in existence where one can enter an entire algebra problem exactly the way it looks (basically copy it) and the calculator will give an accurate answer? I can figure most basic math easily without a calculator (which is more than some people can do), but find algebra extremely confusing. So far nobody has been able to explain algebra in a way I can understand it. Can a calculator figure all algebra problems for me without me having to understand them? I'm good at all other subjects and don't want to be denied a degree and lose my financial aid all because of one subject - math.

_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:21:35 PM   
RapierFugue


Posts: 4740
Joined: 3/16/2006
From: London, England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

Is there a calculator in existence where one can enter an entire algebra problem exactly the way it looks (basically copy it) and the calculator will give an accurate answer?


Yes, there is.

It's called the human brain ;)

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:38:24 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline 		Lol my human brain earned me a 4.0 GPA three semesters in a row because none of those classes were math. I had to drop algebra because nobody could explain it to me in a way I could understand it. I'm eventually going to have to pass it though if I want a degree and I don't want to lose my financial aid in the process. Order of operations gets very confusing in advanced algebra. I need a calculator to get me through this.

_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to RapierFugue)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:41:09 PM   
RapierFugue


Posts: 4740
Joined: 3/16/2006
From: London, England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

I need a calculator to get me through this.


No, you don't. It's not a particularly complex form of maths, so just stick with it, do a bit of research, and you'll do fine.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:42:21 PM   
DameBruschetta


Posts: 116
Joined: 1/10/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

Lol my human brain earned me a 4.0 GPA three semesters in a row because none of those classes were math. I had to drop algebra because nobody could explain it to me in a way I could understand it. I'm eventually going to have to pass it though if I want a degree and I don't want to lose my financial aid in the process. Order of operations gets very confusing in advanced algebra. I need a calculator to get me through this.


graphing calculator can, to a certain extent - but your instructor is never going to allow you to use something that will let you do what you expect it to.  Take advantage of the free tutoring or talk to the special needs office about getting tested and given special accomodations (that is if you have a learning disability - which you actually might; dyscalculia.)

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:48:32 PM   
NuevaVida


Posts: 6707
Joined: 8/5/2008
Status: offline 		HP-17B11 for about $90.

TI-84 Plus for about $135 at Best Buy

I've used the TI before, in my Statistics class.  It's not very intuitive, you'll need to read the manual, but it was a necessary tool to get through class.




_____________________________

Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly.



(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:52:53 PM   
mnottertail


Posts: 60698
Joined: 11/3/2004
Status: offline 		TI - 36 or 36x (solar) around 20 bucks at Wal Mart.

_____________________________

Have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two? Judges 5:30


(in reply to NuevaVida)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:52:56 PM   
MasterG2kTR


Posts: 6677
Joined: 8/7/2004
From: Wisconsin
Status: offline 		The answer is YES, and DameB. hit it right. There are graphing calculators that will do what you are asking. My math tutor this semester had one, unfortunately I was not allowed to use such a calculator for my math class. I do know that it's there though cuz every once in a while my tutor would check the results of some problems with his calculator.

Now if you want explanations that make sense check out THIS link, it helped me a LOT!! Thousands of videos describing every type of problem you can think of.

(in reply to DameBruschetta)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:54:55 PM   
Muttling


Posts: 1612
Joined: 9/30/2007
Status: offline 		www.wolframalpha.com


It's not perfect, but it will do the vast majority of Algebra I and II calculations.

(in reply to MasterG2kTR)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 1:59:45 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline 		I thought people with dyscalculia couldn't figure any math at all, including basic math. Am I wrong? Does dyscalculia only affect algebra? Also, there are a lot of people out there with degrees who need a calculator for basic math (which I don't). How did they get through it when they know even less than I do?

_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to DameBruschetta)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 2:23:34 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DameBruschetta

graphing calculator can, to a certain extent - but your instructor is never going to allow you to use something that will let you do what you expect it to.  Take advantage of the free tutoring or talk to the special needs office about getting tested and given special accomodations (that is if you have a learning disability - which you actually might; dyscalculia.)


I always take advantage of free tutoring. So far, nobody has been able to explain advanced algebra so I can understand it. Looks like I need to either go to the special needs office and pretend I can't do basic math to get diagnosed with something or buy a graphing calculator and find an instructor that allows them. If people who can't add or multiply without a calculator can make it through college there has to be a way. Giving up is not an option.


_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to DameBruschetta)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 5:50:07 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		one of the big reasons I quit college...failed algebra in high school 3 times, failed it in college twice. I finally gave up. One of the reasons why I need to find a degree I can pass without algebra 

I've had tutor after tutor, class after class, boyfriend after boyfriend, brother, friends, husband, all who tried to teach me but it just doesn't compute in my head. Anything beyond basic math and I'm completely lost.

If you ever figure out a way to pass it, let me know.


(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 5:58:11 PM   
DarkSteven


Posts: 28072
Joined: 5/2/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl
Can a calculator figure all algebra problems for me without me having to understand them? I'm good at all other subjects and don't want to be denied a degree and lose my financial aid all because of one subject - math.


Why are you taking algebra?  If it's required for your degree, then just getting through the class without understanding it may not be a good idea.


_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 6:02:25 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		Perhaps you should take a remedial math class before attacking something stronger.

It will do you no good to have such a calculator if you do not understand the steps of working the problem, or why the problem even has any application to real life. In my algebra class I had trouble with word problems. It was a mental block, he made it impossible to get an A unless you could work the word problem. I got my first and only B from him. It didn't transfer when I went to state (Yay!)

Remedial math will help you prepare for algebra.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 6:06:31 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline 		Algebra is a general education requirement for college students, regardless what their major is.

_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to DarkSteven)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 6:24:56 PM   
defiantbadgirl


Posts: 2988
Joined: 11/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

one of the big reasons I quit college...failed algebra in high school 3 times, failed it in college twice. I finally gave up. One of the reasons why I need to find a degree I can pass without algebra 

I've had tutor after tutor, class after class, boyfriend after boyfriend, brother, friends, husband, all who tried to teach me but it just doesn't compute in my head. Anything beyond basic math and I'm completely lost.

If you ever figure out a way to pass it, let me know.




Did you use a graphing calculator when you took algebra? There has to be a way to pass it without understanding it. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many people with degrees that can't even figure basic math. I met a college student who didn't know her single digit multiplication tables and wondered how she made it through high school. There has to be a way. Hopefully someone will post on here and tell us.


_____________________________


Only in the United States is the health of the people secondary to making money. If this is what "capitalism" is about, I'll take socialism any day of the week.


Collared by MartinSpankalot May 13 2008

(in reply to littlewonder)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 7:34:41 PM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		no. we were never allowed to use calculators for anything at all when I was in college or school. Like I said, I failed algebra every single time I've taken it. It simply makes no sense at all to me.


(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 7:57:29 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

which is more than some people can do


Everything is more than some people can do.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 7:59:06 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl
Can a calculator figure all algebra problems for me without me having to understand them? I'm good at all other subjects and don't want to be denied a degree and lose my financial aid all because of one subject - math.


Why are you taking algebra?  If it's required for your degree, then just getting through the class without understanding it may not be a good idea.


Amen.

It's not like a bunch of professors got together and said, "Hey! I know...let's make 'em take Algebra! HA! What a hoot!"

(in reply to DarkSteven)
Profile   Post #: 19
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:17:16 PM   
Aylee


Posts: 24103
Joined: 10/14/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl
I had to drop algebra because nobody could explain it to me in a way I could understand it.


Let me explain it to you. . .

You are trying to figure out what "x" is and it is always something different.

On a more serious note, are you actually giving yourself enough study time? You probably need 5 to 6 hours per week of study for every hour credit that the class is worth. Increasing your study time may be very beneficial to you.

Talk to your professor. Explain to him what is confusing you. These folks have office hours for a reason. Use them.




_____________________________

Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam

I don’t always wgah’nagl fhtagn. But when I do, I ph’nglui mglw’nafh R’lyeh.

(in reply to defiantbadgirl)
Profile   Post #: 20
Page:   [1] 2 3 4 5   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> algebra calculator Page: [1] 2 3 4 5   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.094