Linear Algebra refers to a subdivision of algebra that teaches many things related to linear equations. Linear equations are the most basic of all algebraic equations involving variables. They are linear, as hinted by the name, and consist of only two types of components. The first is the regular constant such as 4. The 2nd is a variable. The variable must always be in the first power. These two types of components can add, subtract, or multiply as much as they want, or be as long as they want. As long as all of these are true, you have a linear equation. Here are some of the ways that linear equations can fit in with each other.
Linear equations are most often used when graphing a function. They provide a relatively simple way for the person making the graph to determine each value at a given point. Linear equations can be put into different forms that make it even easier for graphing. This includes the slope-intercept form, which gives you an easy layout for where to find several different key aspects about the graph that represents the function. The equation may even include a specific point or two on the graph.
Usually students who learn linear algebra have already learned some sort of equations that relate to graphing functions. Linear equations allow them to not only understand how certain numbers lead to certain graphs, but also how they can manipulate these numbers to come up with different equations that make other parts of algebra easier. It is definitely a necessary concept when continuing with later levels of algebra and even the higher level math courses.
While linear algebra may seem like a useless and excessive branch of math at first, you should not hesitate to begin learning it and to figure out how you can use it with the rest of the mathematical discipline. There are countless texts on the subject if you wish to pursue knowledge outside of school, or if you want to be helped along in a class. You can find it explained in a way that will show you its true importance within the bigger scheme of things, as well as ways that you can implement it in your day to day life.
Monday, March 19, 2007
College Algebra Helps You with Future Math Concepts
Many people make the mistake of thinking that high school algebra courses cover the extent of the concepts that algebra has to offer. But in order to have a full grasp of algebra, you should take a college algebra course. In order to succeed in future math classes such as trigonometry and calculus, it is necessary to learn the things that are taught in college algebra. These include things that are taught in high school courses, as well as more difficult versions of them, along with concepts that are completely new to the course. If you want to know what to expect from a college algebra course, read on.
In high school algebra, you will notice that every problem is set up so that it magically has a real, whole number as the solution. When you move on to college algebra, you will quickly notice something vastly different with the way the problems work. You may solve one and somehow think you have the wrong answer just because it doesn’t divide neatly or end up being a whole integer. This requires you to double-check your answer, and not just assume that it’s right because it’s the only one that fits. Learn all the tricks that you can use to verify that your answer is correct.
College algebra also covers things that you never imagined exited when you were in the world of simple algebra. You will be introduced to more advanced equations with multiple variables, as well as equally more advanced techniques that you can use to figure out the answer. If you have a good instructor and a good textbook, these new concepts will build almost directly onto whatever you learned before, rather than thrusting them in your face as completely foreign.
While college algebra may sound intimidating, if you did at all well in regular algebra then you are almost sure to succeed. Just make sure that you always stay caught up with the class, and don’t fall behind on any concept. If you use a combination of instruction, tutoring, and other information, you will be able to get the multiple explanations that you need to fully wrap your mind around a certain chapter or a certain problem.
In high school algebra, you will notice that every problem is set up so that it magically has a real, whole number as the solution. When you move on to college algebra, you will quickly notice something vastly different with the way the problems work. You may solve one and somehow think you have the wrong answer just because it doesn’t divide neatly or end up being a whole integer. This requires you to double-check your answer, and not just assume that it’s right because it’s the only one that fits. Learn all the tricks that you can use to verify that your answer is correct.
College algebra also covers things that you never imagined exited when you were in the world of simple algebra. You will be introduced to more advanced equations with multiple variables, as well as equally more advanced techniques that you can use to figure out the answer. If you have a good instructor and a good textbook, these new concepts will build almost directly onto whatever you learned before, rather than thrusting them in your face as completely foreign.
While college algebra may sound intimidating, if you did at all well in regular algebra then you are almost sure to succeed. Just make sure that you always stay caught up with the class, and don’t fall behind on any concept. If you use a combination of instruction, tutoring, and other information, you will be able to get the multiple explanations that you need to fully wrap your mind around a certain chapter or a certain problem.
Getting Help with Difficult Concepts in Algebra
Algebra is a very important class to take. It provides you a foundation for all of the math classes that you take in the future, and teachers you critical math skills that will actually come in handy for the rest of your life. But it is very important that you are caught up with your class when it comes to your knowledge of the content. If you fall behind for just one day, the concepts will become more and more foreign as the future lessons build upon the original ideas. Therefore, if you begin to feel lost or left behind in your algebra class, you should find help. Often if you look for an alternative source of teaching, you will find that things can be explained in a much better way than your textbook does.
The first option is to look at the tutoring that your school offers. Most of the time they will offer at least something for free. Drop-in tutoring is particularly helpful. Schools keep a few people on hand who are experts in a large amount of things, and usually math is one of them. If you have a concise math question that you can go in and enquire about, then by all means do so. Your instructor might explain things in a way that is not ideal for your mental processing style, and if that is the case then it would certainly be helpful to get the help of someone who can explain it in a different way. If you hear a phrase that you can identify with, the problem may click with your mind and become clear.
The internet is another extremely useful tool for anyone who wants to get some extra help with their algebra. A speedy search will lead you to professionally written tutorials on whatever you are having trouble with. Not just one tutorial, but literally hundreds. With that many options available in one place, you should have no problem finding at least one that explains it in a way that you get. If you still don’t understand, you have two options. The first is to try to persevere through the rest of the semester, and the second is to drop the class and attempt to enroll in a class that moves at a slower pace and covers some of the earlier concepts.
The first option is to look at the tutoring that your school offers. Most of the time they will offer at least something for free. Drop-in tutoring is particularly helpful. Schools keep a few people on hand who are experts in a large amount of things, and usually math is one of them. If you have a concise math question that you can go in and enquire about, then by all means do so. Your instructor might explain things in a way that is not ideal for your mental processing style, and if that is the case then it would certainly be helpful to get the help of someone who can explain it in a different way. If you hear a phrase that you can identify with, the problem may click with your mind and become clear.
The internet is another extremely useful tool for anyone who wants to get some extra help with their algebra. A speedy search will lead you to professionally written tutorials on whatever you are having trouble with. Not just one tutorial, but literally hundreds. With that many options available in one place, you should have no problem finding at least one that explains it in a way that you get. If you still don’t understand, you have two options. The first is to try to persevere through the rest of the semester, and the second is to drop the class and attempt to enroll in a class that moves at a slower pace and covers some of the earlier concepts.
Finding Extracurricular Algebra Books to Supplement Your Learning
Every different person has a very distinct learning style, and this is something that most schools fail to realize. If you take an algebra course, you will be presented with the information in the same way that everyone else in the class is presented with it. Some students appear to be getting it right away, but maybe you feel like you have been left in the dust. It is unfair that a teacher and a textbook should cater to the needs of some students while leaving others in the dark. Therefore, in order to succeed in an algebra course you should obtain some books that teach you in a clearer way. By reading these outside of class, you can begin to grasp some of the more difficult concepts, and get a great grade in the class.
If you have a visual learning style, you should search for algebra books that work especially for you. Many of these exist, and some have been met with more positive reviews than others. Go to your favorite internet search engine and find out what sort of books are recommended, then look for reviews from people who were in your same position. See if the book helped them press through the algebra class, or if it ended up being a worthless gimmick. If you have found a book that seems to look like it could be the answer to what you need, then don’t hesitate to order it.
If you are better at learning through sound, you can order audio guides to math. Instead of trying to explain how the technical side of the problems works, they instead describe examples to you and allow you to understand why the problems work the way they do, instead of just telling you how they work and expecting you to apply the same theories to the other ones as well. Just like any book or guide, if you can find a decent one then you will be very happy with how it helps you with math problems.
If you feel that you can comfortably talk to your instructor about extracurricular books, you should get his or her opinion about what you can use to find some extra help on the tougher subjects. By finding a book that works for you, you will be able to have a much easier time with everything.
If you have a visual learning style, you should search for algebra books that work especially for you. Many of these exist, and some have been met with more positive reviews than others. Go to your favorite internet search engine and find out what sort of books are recommended, then look for reviews from people who were in your same position. See if the book helped them press through the algebra class, or if it ended up being a worthless gimmick. If you have found a book that seems to look like it could be the answer to what you need, then don’t hesitate to order it.
If you are better at learning through sound, you can order audio guides to math. Instead of trying to explain how the technical side of the problems works, they instead describe examples to you and allow you to understand why the problems work the way they do, instead of just telling you how they work and expecting you to apply the same theories to the other ones as well. Just like any book or guide, if you can find a decent one then you will be very happy with how it helps you with math problems.
If you feel that you can comfortably talk to your instructor about extracurricular books, you should get his or her opinion about what you can use to find some extra help on the tougher subjects. By finding a book that works for you, you will be able to have a much easier time with everything.
The Struggle to Understand Algebra
Algebra a basic branch of math dealing with structure of problems, relation, and quantity. It usually involves equations containing a variable which must be solved. The most basic algebra begins way back in middle school, and is slowly built upon until the official algebra courses taught in high school. There are more advanced algebra classes which can be taken in college. Algebra acts as a basis on which you will build the rest of the more advanced mathematical branches, so it is imperative that you fully understand how it works and how it can tie in with everything else.
The best strategy for learning algebra is to keep up with the class. The moment the teacher begins to talk about something that you don’t fully understand, raise your hand and ask a question. Have the tough parts explained to you. If you still don’t understand, don’t just let the rest of the class stampede past you and leave you choking on their dust. Try to stick with the rest of that class period, and afterwards stay and talk to the teacher. Have him or her explain it again right there on the spot to try and get a better grip on it.
If you still aren’t able to get the teacher to explain it in a way that you can understand, then you will have to look elsewhere. Arrange a private tutoring session using whatever resources your school has to offer. Most universities offer either tutoring appointments or drop-in tutoring sessions to all students. Take advantage of these. You might be able to get the algebra explained in a different way that makes it completely clear, so don’t hesitate to seek help besides your class instructor.
Even if the homework is not required for a certain chapter, you should do the recommended problems. Just because you think you grasp a concept doesn’t mean that you will know how to apply it when a problem comes along. Therefore you should get as much practice as you can before the date of the test that goes over those concepts. No matter how boring or repetitive it seems, just stick with it and you will be glad that you learned the concept so thoroughly.
The best strategy for learning algebra is to keep up with the class. The moment the teacher begins to talk about something that you don’t fully understand, raise your hand and ask a question. Have the tough parts explained to you. If you still don’t understand, don’t just let the rest of the class stampede past you and leave you choking on their dust. Try to stick with the rest of that class period, and afterwards stay and talk to the teacher. Have him or her explain it again right there on the spot to try and get a better grip on it.
If you still aren’t able to get the teacher to explain it in a way that you can understand, then you will have to look elsewhere. Arrange a private tutoring session using whatever resources your school has to offer. Most universities offer either tutoring appointments or drop-in tutoring sessions to all students. Take advantage of these. You might be able to get the algebra explained in a different way that makes it completely clear, so don’t hesitate to seek help besides your class instructor.
Even if the homework is not required for a certain chapter, you should do the recommended problems. Just because you think you grasp a concept doesn’t mean that you will know how to apply it when a problem comes along. Therefore you should get as much practice as you can before the date of the test that goes over those concepts. No matter how boring or repetitive it seems, just stick with it and you will be glad that you learned the concept so thoroughly.
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