Can Practice Help Improve Algebraic Difficulty?

[silenzer]

Hi,

I suffer from immense algebraic difficulty. I always understand the material in math 90-100%, but I always flunk on tests (last I got 12%...) because I'm so clumsy with numbers. Are there any practices that focus specifically on that?

 

[Number Nine]

Yes...the kinds of problems that you can't do on the tests. Find problems like those and do them.

 

[gsal]

Also, make sure you get a hold of problems that have answers...just to make sure, because you saying that you understand math does not mean it is true...maybe you just think you do...

Another habit that you may need to develop is to get back to the beginning of the problem and make sure that the answer you came up with solves the problem...

 

[verty]

Here are some questions, see how many you get right the first time, no looking.

 

[Ivan92]

Hi,

I suffer from immense algebraic difficulty. I always understand the material in math 90-100%, but I always flunk on tests (last I got 12%...) because I'm so clumsy with numbers. Are there any practices that focus specifically on that?

Getting the material is great, but it would be even better if you practiced problems based on what you know. Practice is probably the most fundamental thing you can do to show that you really know something.

I understand how you feel. I failed my first Calc 2 Exam and everyone was shocked that I failed because I helped my friends out with the material and I got a lower score than them. 2 reasons stood out to me as to why I did so horribly: Time and shock. I did not manage my time as well as I should have (spent a lot of time in one single problem...). Also with time was time pressure (I was not used to taking an exam with so little time.) Also the shock of the exam. When I first saw the exam, my mind was just blown because I haven't been exposed to enough problems. This is where the practice will help. Do problems in your textbook and make sure you understand everything.