Math Is Fun Forum

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Need help with basic math

Hi all,
I never had the opportunity to study when I was young as my parents believed work was more important than school and now I am much, much older, I would like to learn.
I want to study a degree in engineering eventually but I have some learning to do before I can apply for Uni and I am also thinking about joining the army.
My short term goal? I would like to start a Year 12 equivalance course in October if that is possible.
I have been going through Mathsisfun and mathopolis and quite often I get stuck on what to attack next after learning something.
Does anyone have a structure for learning math? Where to start and how to progress through each area is slowing me down.

If anyone could offer some advice it would be appreciated.

Agnishom

Real Member

From: Riemann Sphere

Registered: 2011-01-29

Posts: 24,996

Website

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi;

Welcome to Math Is Fun Forum!

What is your favorite color?

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'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi canicoll;

I have heard of and seen many different ways to learn math. All of them work. The first and simplest idea I can give is right here:

I have been going through Mathsisfun and mathopolis and quite often I get stuck on what to attack next after learning something.

Post them in here and ask for help.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi canicoll;

I have heard of and seen many different ways to learn math. All of them work. The first and simplest idea I can give is right here:

I have been going through Mathsisfun and mathopolis and quite often I get stuck on what to attack next after learning something.

Post them in here and ask for help.

So just keep doing what i'm doing? Ok.
I'm doing exponents right now and at the bottom of the page are "Here's more" links. So just click and go at random?

Hi;

Welcome to Math Is Fun Forum!

What is your favorite color?

Depends what the object is

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Re: Need help with basic math

So i'm doing negative exponents and it refers to reciprocals but I can't find a link to explain reciprocals

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Need help with basic math

It just takes desire and a person can accomplish almost anything.

Do not forget to post in here when you get stuck. I taught myself almost everything but it took longer because I did not have anyone to ask. There was no internet back then.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Re: Need help with basic math

Thank you.
That would've been tough learning without the online resources of today. Good to know i'm not the only one who started from scratch.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Need help with basic math

I did not really start from scratch, my teachers, parents and professors did teach me how to learn. Also, I have the desire. You need one more thing...stubbornness!

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Re: Need help with basic math

Problem. Reciprocal of x^2
Why isn't the answer just 1/x^2 ? Why is it (1/x)^2 ?

Agnishom

Real Member

From: Riemann Sphere

Registered: 2011-01-29

Posts: 24,996

Website

Re: Need help with basic math

You are correct about 1/x^2

However,

So, they are just the same thing.

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'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

canicoll

Member

Registered: 2014-09-06

Posts: 6

Re: Need help with basic math

Hmmm, I got that wrong for some reason. I was meant to include the brackets.

Maybe I misunderstood the question.

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 48,404

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi canicoll,

Welcome to the forum!

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi canicoll

Welcome to the forum!

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“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

David

Member

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2014-04-23

Posts: 3,164

Re: Need help with basic math

Hi;
Welcome to the forum. What is your favourite colour?

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His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

ShivamS

Member

Registered: 2011-02-07

Posts: 3,648

Re: Need help with basic math

Welcome to the forum!

I'd advise you to try educator.com. It has video courses, homework etc for grade 1 to university.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Need help with basic math

hi canicoll,

Welcome to the forum. 

but I can't find a link to explain reciprocals

Maybe this:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/reciprocal.html

And then:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/expon … ional.html

At the bottom of that page you will find related links.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob