81 posts tagged with algebra.
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Modern math theory for little kids

My kid is 6 and really enjoys math. Her teachers have already given her a solid understanding of basic multiplication, division and algebra. But we haven't done much at home, and I'm wondering how to support her interest. I'd like to educate myself a bit first. Could you recommend things I can read/watch to better understand doing math with kids? My own skills are solid (technical career) but I don't know much about teaching! [more inside]
posted by jebs on Dec 9, 2022 - 15 answers

How should I learn Linear Algebra?

I'm a mathematically-minded person, but informally; I was great with math in high school and so-so in college, didn't deal well with calculus, love recreational mathematics on my own terms, and do best when I have a good conceptual basis for any bit of mathematical theory. (I do great with planar geometry. I do okaaay with symbolic algebra.) But I never learned linear algebra and matrices, despite them applying to a *lot* of things I'm otherwise interested in. Where's a good, accessible, concept-driven way to get familiar with lin alg territory?
posted by cortex on May 27, 2022 - 25 answers

Collection of math problems requiring exploration but no trig/calc?

I'm a test prep instructor; one of the challenges I face is getting students to spend more than 2 minutes engaging with problems. I'm always on the lookout for problems that will require my students to invest thought/energy/deliberation, but at the same time will NOT require higher math (my students by and large need neither calc nor trig, save for a basic understanding of SOHCAHTOA; they DO need algebra/geometry knowledge). Where can I find a collection of such problems to give as "extra credit?" Books, websites, anything would be helpful. Example problem inside. [more inside]
posted by rjacobs on Jan 2, 2022 - 21 answers

How long would it take to learn Algebra I to Calculus II?

I am a Social Science student and I am finding statistics to be quite valuable and exciting. I am beginning to think that pursuing a Master's in Statistics (or Biostatistics) or Data Science focus woule be an ideal degree, especially if I can somehow combine it with Sociology/Political Science in government or tech companies with a social aspect to it. Yet, I have always been slow with maths and I struggle with it at times - currently working on Algebra I so far. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow on Oct 26, 2020 - 10 answers

Math Problem Please Hep!

I would dearly love an answer to this math question, but I'm far too mathematically ignorant to figure it out. [more inside]
posted by Transl3y on Jan 26, 2020 - 23 answers

How can I improve my algebra so I can fully understand calculus?

How can I improve my algebra 1 and 2 (and linear algebra) so I can feel comfortable with tackling calculus 1 + 2? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow on Dec 6, 2019 - 19 answers

Resources for math refresher?

I plan to take an introductory statistics course in the spring. But first I need to take a placement test, and my math is rusty. [more inside]
posted by maurreen on Nov 8, 2018 - 13 answers

Combining 'things' in different ratios

I have $10000 to spend on plants (well I wish I did anyway). My plants come in two sizes which I'll call thing1 and thing2. [more inside]
posted by unearthed on Mar 5, 2018 - 4 answers

Data Munge: Uknown combination of 7 numbers produces a given number.

Data Munging Pros: In a spreadsheet with ten data columns, Column "A" is related to columns "B" through "J" in that some unknown combination or interaction of some or all of them will produce the data in Column "A". How do we determine what that combination is? (I can't even find what this type of problem is called, and I've not been able to find any productive Google search terms.) A more thorough explanation/example is provided in-thread. [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj on Jan 17, 2017 - 13 answers

Let's play: math problems with a comm major!

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around a math equation I need to create, possibly because the data I have to cook something up with is less than ideal and only good for faking a preliminary number. Maybe you can help... [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Feb 16, 2016 - 5 answers

Please recommend your best resources for learning algebra.

My son is in grade 9 and is struggling with maths (this is an ongoing thing). Algebra is everywhere and he has no idea. What are the best online resources for stepping through algebra from the very beginning?
posted by h00py on Sep 1, 2015 - 6 answers

Typer Shark for Algebra?

I want to take a pre-calculus class, but I’m not prepared. I would find it easier to prepare with some kind of program or system to refresh my math skills and learn some of what I missed in high school. I, like most mammals, am motivated by immediate rewards. Is there an online game where the math gets progressively harder and you earn rewards for completing problem sets? I was more willing to practice typing when I was defeating sharks than when I worked from a book. Does such a gamified system exist for math? [more inside]
posted by Catenation on Aug 25, 2015 - 4 answers

How to Math

I'm a computer science major in college. I'm not a freakin' genius, but I do well-- get A's in my classes, good with abstraction (e.g. pointers), etc. However, I seem to have missed... my entire high school pre-Calculus math curriculum? I don't know. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 14, 2015 - 12 answers

Books/review of high school math for former math major, current tutor

I need book recommendations two categories: 1) for myself for review (that are somewhere between high school text books and Spark notes) 2) just straight up textbooks for high school math (algebra i, geometry, algebra ii, trigonometry, pre-calculus) [more inside]
posted by miss so and so on Mar 5, 2015 - 10 answers

Best cargo cult symbolic equation editor?

You're an armchair scientist and you like reading scientific papers. A lot of the fun ones include a lot of equations. You'd like to be able to recreate those equations in a virtual blackboard. You'd select terms and be able to replace them with a library of previous equations you've made. The blackboard would enforce whatever symbolic manipulation rules are required to maintain consistency (because you sure won't be able to). If you replace a term with a number or a data input, it does the calculations necessary to display properly. What is it? [more inside]
posted by bigbigdog on Oct 18, 2014 - 8 answers

Vicarious Math Pressure

My eldest child is starting high school. She is in the most advanced math class (a version of geometry) offered by her fairly demanding high school. But my eldest is struggling during the review of algebra -- rate problems, word problems, etc. Concerned because math is cumulative, and I don't want her falling behind. What can I do to help, both with math and with preventing her from becoming discouraged? [more inside]
posted by Slap Factory on Oct 10, 2014 - 9 answers

4x+y+2z=100, x>y, y>z, x+y+z=j, 3x+z=k, j>k, j+k=100.

4x+y+2z=100, x>y, y>z, x+y+z=j, 3x+z=k, j>k, j+k=100. WolframAlpha can only give me alternative forms or a solution involving 'real and imaginary parts of z'. Is there a solution I can count on my fingers? [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi on Jul 22, 2014 - 12 answers

Where to get algebraic help?

I am working through the mooculus calculus one mooc as a refresher (which I clearly need), and there is one thing I have run across that I just don't see. Can you help me figure out what is going on, and what I can do to work out future problems? [more inside]
posted by carpographer on Jun 17, 2014 - 5 answers

Physics Study Guide

For my pal...What is a good physics study guide for: a) 1st semester algebra-based college physics b) lots of solved problems c) without calculus. I remember liking Schaum's in undergrad, but I seem to recall it being calculus based. Thx Hive!
posted by j_curiouser on Dec 15, 2013 - 4 answers

Basic Math for Math Majors

Hello! I'm a first semester grad student in applied math. I am a non-traditional student in a variety of ways (liberal arts undergrad, working full-time), and while I'm finding that I intellectually understand the concepts I'm learning, execution is being made difficult by my lack of fluency with algebraic manipulation and calculus. [more inside]
posted by downing street memo on Nov 13, 2013 - 16 answers

8th grade math tutoring options?

Where can we find low cost math tutoring for 8th grade algebra? I've tried some web searches, but have not had much luck. [more inside]
posted by needlegrrl on Aug 5, 2013 - 8 answers

Scale my function for a line graph

Math-filter: I have a line chart in Google Docs that plots three columns of data over time. Data in the first two columns ranges from 0-1000, but data in the third column ranges from 3-9. I'd like to "scale" Line 3 (maybe this is the wrong word?) to be able to compare its value over the same graph space as Lines 1 and 2. [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on Jun 12, 2013 - 7 answers

Algebra: exotic identity values?

[mathfilter] please give me some example algebraic structures that are not commutative, with exotic identity values. [more inside]
posted by knz on Apr 8, 2013 - 5 answers

Can a transcendental number raised to an algebraic power be algebraic?

Can a transcendental number such as pi, be raised to an irrational, but algebraic power resulting in an algebraic solution? Complex solutions would be acceptable. There might be a quick proof here, or there might not be. - Thanks for any help you can offer answering this! (And I promise that this isn't for a class or anything like that!)
posted by ch3cooh on Mar 2, 2013 - 3 answers

Clearly, this proves that I'm stupid

I can't seem to wrap my mind around the language of higher level math. Definitions, theorems, and proofs make me fall asleep, but I really do want to understand. Do you know of any good resources that can help me out? [more inside]
posted by lucia_engel on Jan 31, 2013 - 19 answers

The use of Linear Algebra in Programming.

I just finished my first course in Linear Algebra. I know a fair amount of Python. Please help me come up with a project that combines the two. [more inside]
posted by lobbyist on Dec 23, 2012 - 11 answers

Algebra Question

Can anyone help with an algebra question I am trying to help my neice with her homework. [more inside]
posted by Summer Fall on Nov 17, 2012 - 9 answers

Need help finding an easy-to-follow Algebra textbook

Introductory Algebra Course - book recommendations? [more inside]
posted by raintree on Oct 9, 2012 - 10 answers

Help her learn Alg II by Tuesday

Sister just learned she has to take an Algebra II test on Tuesday that covers the whole shebang. She's forgotten (repressed?) most of it. What's her best bet for an Algebra II crash course that will go over all the topics? She's very smart, but not a math person.
posted by goosechasing on Aug 30, 2012 - 11 answers

My Trig Teachers Name Was Mr. Angle But That Didn't Make Him A Good Teacher.

My math skills are no where near where I'd like them to be. Can you recommend a self-paced math learning site? Pretty much any branch of math can apply. [more inside]
posted by Ookseer on Aug 13, 2012 - 7 answers

Math is Hard (I need help)

Math is hard. Please help me with a slope-related problem. [more inside]
posted by anastasiav on Jul 22, 2012 - 10 answers

Is it possible to solve for X?

(Y)(S^N) = (M)(X^(N+E)) - (Y)(X^N) Is it possible to solve for X? [more inside]
posted by spacediver on Apr 25, 2012 - 24 answers

Mr. Math Monster, I presume?

Help me to learn math as an adult when I still despise the frustrating beast from my childhood! [more inside]
posted by DisreputableDog on Mar 24, 2012 - 20 answers

Online mathematics

Which are the best online courses for studying algebra and progressing up to trig, calculus, and differentials? [more inside]
posted by crapmatic on Feb 19, 2012 - 14 answers

Simple solution

This is pretty straightforward algebra/chemistry which is why I'm embarrassed to ask my co-workers to help me so... [more inside]
posted by Katine on Jan 5, 2012 - 8 answers

I still KNOW the quadratic equation, just not what it means

I have forgotten basically all of math, and I want to learn it again from the ground up. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz on Oct 19, 2011 - 28 answers

1 + 10 + 100 + ... = -1/9

Mathfilter: In Gelfand's exceptional Algebra text, he is talking about the formula 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + ... = 1/(1 - x). He uses the Achilles racing the tortoise model when first introducing the formula. He discusses the case x = 10, whence 1 + 10 + 100 + 1000 + ... = -1/9. [more inside]
posted by wittgenstein on Jul 27, 2011 - 8 answers

Linear Relationships in Real Life?

I am redesigning a high-school Algebra course so as to make it more meaningful to the students. To that extent, I am trying to gather as many examples throughout our world of linear relationships. I was hoping to tap into the collective wisdom of this group to come up with as long a list as possible of linear relationships that actually exist (not contrived stuff). I once knew a teacher who had a plant that grew at a linear rate. I don't know the type of plant, however. And there are so many other linear relationships around us. I don't want everything they see be about a car's distance from home or the amount of money they saved. What do you know of that exhibits a linear relationship? I'd love to have a long list for students so that they see that studying linear relationships in Algebra really does matter. Thanks for any help in making this course more worth while to the students!
posted by mathmatters on Jul 21, 2011 - 16 answers

If an geeky child is traveling South at 839 MPH, and his nerdy dad is going North at...

My son, who is finishing up third grade, loves math and especially the basic Algebra he's been doing. He is actually sad to be leaving school for the summer because he's so into it. How can I keep this going for him over the summer? Fun books, board games, computer (on-line and OSX) games? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Jun 8, 2011 - 42 answers

CS Math books

I am a GIS college student looking to develop my skills in programming, particularly in Python. For starters, I need to wake up my dormant math skills. What mathematics-for-programmers books, or general Computer Science books, should I be looking for? [more inside]
posted by ajax287 on Apr 10, 2011 - 9 answers

"New" math?

Multiple students taking an exam at different times come up with the same baffling answer. Help! [more inside]
posted by King Bee on Mar 21, 2011 - 24 answers

How to manipulate "12 = x - (square root of x)" into "x="

The solution to 12 = x - (square root of x) is 16, but how do I manipulate the equation to show that? [more inside]
posted by Wanderboy on Feb 23, 2011 - 46 answers

Equality Now! BBall Substitutions dilemma

MathStoryProblem: I coach youth bball and need help with equal playing time substitutions with a line-up that varies week to week. I think some kind of formula or counting trick should help, but my math skills are failing me. Up to 15 kids, 10 substitutions per game (25 min halves - subs every 5 min). As close to equal amount of floor time as possible (obviously, this can't always be the case). [more inside]
posted by ten year lurk on Feb 23, 2011 - 6 answers

Can't Figure Out Why I Can't Figure It Out

Warning: wait to read this question until tomorrow if you are in Learned League. So, today one of the Learned League questions was, What is the y-intercept of the line with the following equation?: 3y-11x = 39. I couldn't get any further than y = 13 + 3 2/3 x or y = 13 +3.66666x. Actually it appears the response is 13. How does one get to the right response for this question?
posted by bearwife on Nov 19, 2010 - 12 answers

Answering to Sir What is x

But Sir, what is x? Teaching students algebra for the first time. They keep wanting to put values in for x, and write that down. E.g. x + x = . Becomes 1 + 1 = 2, in their books. Whereas I want x + x = 2x. Does anyone have any strategies, or techniques to overcome this? [more inside]
posted by 92_elements on Nov 11, 2010 - 22 answers

How do you say FOIL in other languages?

How do people explain the FOIL rule of algebra in other languages? [more inside]
posted by twoleftfeet on Aug 23, 2010 - 31 answers

I am sick of having to say "I'm not good at math."

I have always had difficulty with mathematics. Now I'm in my mid-thirties and have gone back to school to study engineering. Things are not going appreciably better than they did the first time I went to university. What can I do to fill the gaps I have and become a skilled problem-solver? I want to go from being a C to being an A student. [more inside]
posted by rhombus on Mar 24, 2010 - 29 answers

Do we have to know Cramer's rule for the exam?

Why do people care about Cramer's rule? [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn on Mar 3, 2010 - 8 answers

Solve for x

Is it possible to solve for x in y=(x^t)/(x-1), for any value of t? Wolfram alpha and maxima failed, so I guess not, but I'm interested in what more general classes of unsolvable equations this falls in.
posted by jewzilla on Feb 20, 2010 - 12 answers

A good book for teaching yourself algebra?

Any recommendations for self-teaching guides to high school level math? [more inside]
posted by LastOfHisKind on Jan 23, 2010 - 12 answers

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