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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:23:24 PM   
thishereboi


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quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl


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.



I have always had trouble with algebra. Luckily all the tests that I have had to take in it were multiple choice. I understood enough to try the answers until I got the right one. I haven't taken an actual class on it since 1974 so I am not sure how that would work to get through the class, they didn't have calculators that would do that back then, so it wasn't an option. Maybe someone at the learning center would know a good calculator you could find.


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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:23:25 PM   
juliaoceania


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quote:

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


To be fair, sometimes you have to find out what the value of "y" is too

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:26:26 PM   
dcnovice


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Status: offline 		Might it be worth talking to a dean to see if there's another math class--geometry, statistics?--you could take in place of algebra?

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:28:52 PM   
sunshinemiss


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quote:


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.


Pardon the mess. My brain just exploded. I imagine a whole lot of procrastination entering in my world.

*grumbles about wimp.com, ted talks, and now... Khan Academy. Just cut my head open and remove my brain and be done with it!

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:30:21 PM   
juliaoceania


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ORIGINAL: dcnovice

Might it be worth talking to a dean to see if there's another math class--geometry, statistics?--you could take in place of algebra?



I would not recommend anyone take stats without having an elementary understanding of algebra. I used algebra in my stats class

_____________________________

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:32:53 PM   
dcnovice


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quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania


quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice

Might it be worth talking to a dean to see if there's another math class--geometry, statistics?--you could take in place of algebra?



I would not recommend anyone take stats without having an elementary understanding of algebra. I used algebra in my stats class


So much for stats then. Must confess I haven't actually taken it myself.

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:37:29 PM   
Aylee


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quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

quote:

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


To be fair, sometimes you have to find out what the value of "y" is too


But that is not near as funny.

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:37:51 PM   
PilotPTK


Posts: 50
Joined: 2/6/2006
Status: offline 		First off, basic math and algebra are two very different animals.

For the most part, basic math is memorization. 2x2 is 4, 4x4 is 8 and so on - we all recited that in 2nd grade.

Algebra requires an understanding of math and an ability to 'figure' combined with either the memorization of basic math or the ability to calculate basic math. Algebra is NOT difficult. If you find it difficult, then you are being lazy and you don't wish to take the time to understand it. Period.

Algebra, in general, is just 'basic math' used repetitively. If I said what is 2 x 2, you would say 4. If I said what is 4 time 5, you would say 20. If I asked what is 20 minus 13, you would say 7. If I said solve for x; x=2x2x5-13, you would say 7. SIMPLE

Additionally, I can not think of a single non physical labor position that I would hire someone to do if they couldn't perform basic algebra. You had better learn it.

PPtk

< Message edited by PilotPTK -- 5/16/2011 8:39:02 PM >

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:42:59 PM   
thishereboi


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quote:

Additionally, I can not think of a single non physical labor position that I would hire someone to do if they couldn't perform basic algebra. You had better learn it.


I was a purchasing agent for 15 years. Never needed algebra.

I processed sales orders for 5 years. Never needed algebra.

Did general office crap off and on since 1977 and never needed algebra.

I have a year to go before I take my medical coding exam. Won't need algebra.

Maybe you need to expand your knowledge of non physical labor positions before you start handing out advice on the subject.

Oh and there are a lot of really intelligent people out there who don't understand algebra. It's just the way their brain works. Something else you might want to learn about before randomly calling someone lazy.



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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:46:04 PM   
Musicmystery


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Status: offline 		I see.

Did you ever need logic? Because that's essentially algebra--symbolic logic.

It's Jr. High math. Or at least it used to be. I'm pretty sure a college student could manage it.

Or at least should be able to do so--or learn to do so.



< Message edited by Musicmystery -- 5/16/2011 8:47:43 PM >

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:51:50 PM   
PilotPTK


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ORIGINAL: thishereboi


I was a purchasing agent for 15 years. Never needed algebra.

So you never calculated the number of widgets that you were buying multiplied by their cost? Perhaps for multiple different widgets? Hate to tell you, but that's algebra.

Never used Excel or Quattro to perform mathematical operations on a set of data? Nearly all of those 'functions' are algebraic.

You may not think you use algebra, but most purchasing agents use it every day.

Boss/Manager - "We need 25 Widget X's and 30 Widget Y's, What's that going to cost"? Widget X costs a buck and widget Y costs 2 and a quarter.

well Z = (25*1) + (30*2.25)

Z = $92.50

Nah, I'm sure you're right.. You probably never used algebra.

< Message edited by PilotPTK -- 5/16/2011 8:55:03 PM >

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:55:04 PM   
thishereboi


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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

I see.

Did you ever need logic? Because that's essentially algebra--symbolic logic.

It's Jr. High math. Or at least it used to be. I'm pretty sure a college student could manage it.

Or at least should be able to do so--or learn to do so.




Jr High, yup that was my last algebra class. Like I said 1974. I think I got a D. I know my mother was just really happy that I passed

Now back then I really hated school and pretty much sucked at it. Not sure how I would do if I took the class now. I do love logic problems and do pretty good at them, so maybe that would help. I never thought of the two as connected. I haven't had the need to take one, so I never gave it much thought. To busy trying to get all the medical terms and HIPAA crap straight to worry about x and y.


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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:58:02 PM   
PilotPTK


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quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

I see.

Did you ever need logic? Because that's essentially algebra--symbolic logic.

It's Jr. High math. Or at least it used to be. I'm pretty sure a college student could manage it.

Or at least should be able to do so--or learn to do so.




Jr High, yup that was my last algebra class. Like I said 1974. I think I got a D. I know my mother was just really happy that I passed

Now back then I really hated school and pretty much sucked at it. Not sure how I would do if I took the class now. I do love logic problems and do pretty good at them, so maybe that would help. I never thought of the two as connected. I haven't had the need to take one, so I never gave it much thought. To busy trying to get all the medical terms and HIPAA crap straight to worry about x and y.



You've probably inadvertently been figuring X and Y ever since then. I suspect that hating school is why you got a D in algebra, not because you weren't capable of doing algebra. algebra IS logic - hence the reason I would never hire someone who couldn't do algebra, it signifies a lack of logic.

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 8:58:53 PM   
thishereboi


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quote:

ORIGINAL: PilotPTK

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi


I was a purchasing agent for 15 years. Never needed algebra.

So you never calculated the number of widgets that you were buying multiplied by their cost? Perhaps for multiple different widgets? Hate to tell you, but that's algebra.

Never used Excel or Quattro to perform mathematical operations on a set of data? Nearly all of those 'functions' are algebraic.

You may not think you use algebra, but most purchasing agents use it every day.

Boss/Manager - "We need 25 Widget X's and 30 Widget Y's, What's that going to cost"? Widget X costs a buck and widget Y costs 2 and a quarter.

well Z = (25*1) + (30*2.25)

Z = $92.50

Nah, I'm sure you're right.. You probably never used algebra.


Actually it was more along the lines of....

I need a power source for that control panel. I call a few suppliers, get the best price and delivery. When it comes to what it costs. I know the power supply is $200 and I will need 3 for the 3 panels we are building. 200 x 3 is simple math, not algebra. And yes, I did use excell. I loved it because it did the math for me and I didn't have to take an algebra class to understand it.


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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:01:28 PM   
thishereboi


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quote:

You've probably inadvertently been figuring X and Y ever since then. I suspect that hating school is why you got a D in algebra, not because you weren't capable of doing algebra. algebra IS logic - hence the reason I would never hire someone who couldn't do algebra, it signifies a lack of logic.


Well I get 4.0's now, so I know that was the reason. That has nothing to do with the fact that I haven't needed it in the jobs I mentioned. Now if you want to discount someone because they don't know algebra, that is your choice. But you might be missing out on some really good employees by doing so.



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(in reply to PilotPTK)
Profile   Post #: 35
RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:01:57 PM   
PilotPTK


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Status: offline 		Purchasing one part at a time is not being a purchasing agent. Sorry. I could have a 10 year old do that.

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:02:43 PM   
dcnovice


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Status: offline 		I've been a writer-editor for 24 years now, and that work has been blissfully algebra-free.

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No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:06:12 PM   
PilotPTK


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Status: offline 		And just out of curiosity, If I needed 200 feet of wire and it costs $75.00 per thousand feet.. How much would I put on the P.O. if I only wanted the 200 feet and the vendor was willing to break the spool?

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:10:04 PM   
Musicmystery


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Status: offline 		So if N is the number of words in a column inch, and the publisher wants X in column inches, what value of word count Y will fill the page?

Please make sure your answer is in a serif font.

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RE: algebra calculator - 5/16/2011 9:10:48 PM   
thishereboi


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quote:

ORIGINAL: PilotPTK

And just out of curiosity, If I needed 200 feet of wire and it costs $75.00 per thousand feet.. How much would I put on the P.O. if I only wanted the 200 feet and the vendor was willing to break the spool?


75/1000 and then .075 x 200

simple math

However in most cases, I would take the full spool. 200 feet wouldn't go far.


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(in reply to PilotPTK)
Profile   Post #: 40
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