Q&A for How to Understand Algebra

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When do you learn algebra?

Daron Cam
Algebra Tutor
Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.

Daron Cam

Algebra Tutor

Expert Answer

You typically learn it in high school. Middle school math is typically pre-algebra, although you may dip your toes in algebra when you're in 8th grade if you're taking an advanced class or something.

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Question

Do I need to know algebra to learn calculus?

Daron Cam
Algebra Tutor
Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.

Daron Cam

Algebra Tutor

Expert Answer

Yes, absolutely. The courses even build on one another. It's sort of like a pyramid, and if you want to learn calculus at the top, you'll need the algebra underneath it.

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Question

If b=2, what is 10b squared?

Community Answer

If you're asking about 10b², it's (10)(2)(2) = 40. If you're asking about (10b)², it's (10 x 2)(10 x 2) = 400.

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I absolutely suck at math; I don't understand a word the teacher is saying. It's hard for me to fully understand websites like this. Any advice on how I can improve?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It sounds like you could definitely use the services of a good tutor. (A "good" tutor is one who can sense that a student is not grasping a concept and is adept at adjusting an explanation until the student does understand.) If you don't want to pay for such a service, perhaps you could find a friend or relative who understands algebra and who's willing to spend some time helping you. (Remember that just because someone understands a topic does not mean s/he is good at explaining it!)

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How can I be a faster student?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You get faster with practice.

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What if I have a test coming up but don't get it?

Community Answer

Ask your teacher things you don't get, or ask classmate or friend for help. Maybe even stay at lunch or after school with your teacher so you can fully understand it. You could always find Khan Academy videos that are helpful.

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Question

In algebra, does one ever subtract?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, many times.

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Why do you have to reorder some algebraic questions before you can answer them, and not others?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It was discovered long ago that algebraic equations are most easily solved by following certain steps in a particular order.

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I am starting college in the future. What is the easiest and fastest way to learn algebra? I have been out of high school 40 years.

Donagan

Top Answerer

The easiest way is to read an algebra textbook and understand each concept as it's presented. You could also hire a tutor.

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Question

I do not understand any math whatsoever; this is so hard for me. Anything I could do to improve?

Donagan

Top Answerer

If you're completely lost, all you can do is hire (or find) a tutor, and start over again at the beginning. That may mean you'd have to review several years of math! This would be time-consuming, so you have to decide how important this is to you. It might be worth it simply for the self-confidence you could gain.

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