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 Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:11 pm
My routine for tackling challenges that come along thus far (namely, Algebra II ... ;_; ):
- I get so frustrated I'm ready to scream, throw my pencil down, and give up
- Parents give me a big lecture, drive me to tears, etc, etc.
- I get all fired up after that, think, "it's no big deal, I can handle it"...
- Frustration
And the vicious cycle begins again.
I mean, I know I need to put in more effort. I am capable of putting in lots of effort into certain areas, like art and literature.
But when it comes to Algebra II, my 'spirit' just kind of... falls apart. I have a really bad attitude towards handling math problems and, especially, the type where you have to actually apply the concepts, not... I don't know, do the easy s**t out of the book is the best way I can describe it.
I need to change my way of looking at this crap. I need to get at least a 90 in math to satisfy both myself and my parents. But I can't seem to muster up the motivation to do extra practice problems, or listen to a three-hour lecture from my dad on functions (which, by the way, is absolute murder) and THEN do more practice problems.
What are your suggestions for forming better study habits, when it comes to math?
I sound like such a nerd. But I'll be the one crying in the corner if I don't get into a good college; not my parents.
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:39 pm
Ok firstly I will say that not doing extremely well on just one class isn't likely to keep you out of a good college.
I think you need to keep from getting to the 'so frustrated I'm ready to scream' stage. Take your time when you are working on this. Do one question at a time and work and consentrait on that question alone. Take breaks and mix it up with other homework. If you get stuck on one question then move onto another. If you get stuck on a section then move on until you can come back to it after a break.
Also you could think about getting a tutor to help you with some of the more difficult concepts to apply. Despite the fact that I was a good student I had help with my English work since it was my weak subject. It seems like if your parents are that devoted to you doing well they wouldn't mind paying a tutor.
Talk to you teacher about your struggles too. I'm sure they will be happy to find a way to help. Good luck!
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:04 pm
Honestly, math is something where you either get it, or you don't. Try to find someone in the class that "gets it" and study with them. Parents (dads especially) tends to just push the concept on you and then don't know how to really explain it.
You've heard of the function machine, haven't you?
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:15 pm
Oh yeah! That was something else that helped me in school. Talk to someone who understands and often they are able to explain it in a way that is different then the teachers way and it sure helps. Usually I was the one explaining it differently but we will just pass over that fact.
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:58 pm
I'd love to be able to help, but I totally failed Algebra II in highschool. I was best at English and History. Of course it didn't help that my Algebra II teacher was a complete d**k and publically hated me. Boy those were some good times....
Anywho, doing badly in Algebra II isn't the end of the world. And it certainly isn't the only determining factor when it omes to colleges accepting you or not. I BOMBED that class, but I could still go to pretty much any college I choose. I still graduated highschool and still went on with my life.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:12 am
@ Chalda: The mixing up math with other homework sounds like a good idea.
But as for a tutor, my parents say all I need is my dad as a tutor. They kind of have this, er, superiority complex. I suggested getting a peer tutor at school (it's an afterschool program) but they said "no."
@ Soleq: I don't think I've heard of the function machine. What is it? o.o;;
@ Badloki: Heh, thanks. :3 That's uplifting to hear.
Thanks for your advice, everyone.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:53 pm
The function machine is the way I explain functions. Think of a cardboard box that kids used to play with when they were younger. You pop a number (x) into the box and something happens to it, and when the number comes out it's been transformed into a new number, f(x). Thus, the function itself tells what happens to (x) as it travels through the function machine (box).
For instance, f(x) = x^2 + 3x + 5.
If you plug x = 2 into the function machine, the function becomes:
f(2) = (2)^2 + 3(2) + 5
f(2) = 4 + 6 + 5
f(2) = 15.
Thus, when you put 2 into the function machine, you get 15 out.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:46 pm
Oh... I see. Yea, I've seen it before, although it wasn't called the function machine.
It's not really the plugging in of numbers that confuses me, it's stuff like...
Find the maximum of f(x) if f(x) = -ax^2 + abx - ((ab)^2)/2
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:56 pm
Wendy_Chan Oh... I see. Yea, I've seen it before, although it wasn't called the function machine. It's not really the plugging in of numbers that confuses me, it's stuff like... Find the maximum of f(x) if f(x) = -ax^2 + abx - ((ab)^2)/2 That's really more of a calculus-type problem, that can easily be found if you take the first derivative of the function f(x). Basically, this is how you'd solve it: First, take the first derivative to create f'(x) [f prime of x]: f'(x) = -2ax + ab + 0 Then, this will tell you what the slope of the line is at a given point x. Since you want to find the maximum (or apex, which is what I think you're trying to find), the slope should be 0 at the highest point. Thus, we set f'(x) equal to 0 and solve: 0 = -2ax + ab -ab = -2ax -ab/-2a = x ab/2a = x b/2 = x Thus, you're able to find using the original function what the maximum will be. However, since you're only in AlgII, I'm guessing they don't teach you the calculus part.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:23 pm
Soleq Wendy_Chan Oh... I see. Yea, I've seen it before, although it wasn't called the function machine. It's not really the plugging in of numbers that confuses me, it's stuff like... Find the maximum of f(x) if f(x) = -ax^2 + abx - ((ab)^2)/2 That's really more of a calculus-type problem, that can easily be found if you take the first derivative of the function f(x). Basically, this is how you'd solve it: First, take the first derivative to create f'(x) [f prime of x]: f'(x) = -2ax + ab + 0 Then, this will tell you what the slope of the line is at a given point x. Since you want to find the maximum (or apex, which is what I think you're trying to find), the slope should be 0 at the highest point. Thus, we set f'(x) equal to 0 and solve: 0 = -2ax + ab -ab = -2ax -ab/-2a = x ab/2a = x b/2 = x Thus, you're able to find using the original function what the maximum will be. However, since you're only in AlgII, I'm guessing they don't teach you the calculus part. *shakeshake* No, they don't... I don't even know what the [f prime of x] is, or how to get that. The way I was taught, I think you're supposed to turn it into an equation that follows the guidelines of -a(x-h)^2-k to find the maximum point. We graphed the entire thing in class, but my dad insisted I know how to find it by hand.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:30 pm
My advice to you is to find someone you feel comfortable talking with about math in class. Become friends with them, and preferably sit next to them. Don't copy off their work, but see how they do things. If you lived in California near me, I'd suggest having my wife tutor you. As good as I am at math, she can kick my butt at explaining things any day. Ironic how I'm the math teacher.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:31 pm
Soleq My advice to you is to find someone you feel comfortable talking with about math in class. Become friends with them, and preferably sit next to them. Don't copy off their work, but see how they do things. If you lived in California near me, I'd suggest having my wife tutor you. As good as I am at math, she can kick my butt at explaining things any day. Ironic how I'm the math teacher. Lol. After another tutoring sesh by my dad tonight, though, I'm starting to get the hang of things. Just barely, but it's better than nothing. O wO;; Thanks for your advice and input. ^^ It's much appreciated.
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:28 am
Even if you do poorly in one class, that's not going to keep you from getting into a good college. I knew lots of people in high school that only had a year of math, or completely failed all of a certain subject each year - or me for example, I never had biology, though it's a state requirement! Colleges are not as strict about admissions as many people are made to believe, unless if you are applying for one of the Ivy League schools, which you'd have to have a (usually) 4.0 GPA for anyways.
What you should really ask yourself is what you're thinking of majoring in, in college. If you aren't interested in going into math, then this probably isn't such a big deal. wink
Online help sites are always useful, too... I'm sure you could Google any of the terms from your math book and find (probably) millions of sites to help you better understand the concepts.
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:18 pm
Reivena Even if you do poorly in one class, that's not going to keep you from getting into a good college. I knew lots of people in high school that only had a year of math, or completely failed all of a certain subject each year - or me for example, I never had biology, though it's a state requirement! Colleges are not as strict about admissions as many people are made to believe, unless if you are applying for one of the Ivy League schools, which you'd have to have a (usually) 4.0 GPA for anyways. What you should really ask yourself is what you're thinking of majoring in, in college. If you aren't interested in going into math, then this probably isn't such a big deal. wink Online help sites are always useful, too... I'm sure you could Google any of the terms from your math book and find (probably) millions of sites to help you better understand the concepts. That's the problem, though... my parents really want me to go to Cornell, and personally, I'm shooting for Brown. o.o;; Thanks for your advice, though. :3
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:30 pm
If your don't have the "Math" in you already, maybe you shouldn't aim for 90%
Sometimes in life you have to admit your weekness and deal with it
Doesn't mean you have to stop trying, just do your best without getting yourself sick.
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