I have final exams in 2 weeks, and I can't describe to you how terrified I am of the Algebra exam. I'm taking English and Pre-algebra. The english class, I have about a C in. In algebra, I have an F.
I have dreaded math since the fourth grade--ever since I was introduced to multiplication and division. Everything after that, including decimals, percentages and fractions, just went over my head. I don't know why I find math so boring, but I think if there is a hell, math could be one of it's themes.
Is there anyone here who actually likes math, and could you please explain to me what algebra is all about? I know tht it's a skill that will be needed in the real world (I've looked it up) so I'm not knocking it. I'm just saying, I don't comprehend it at all. I wish I could, then I wouldn't feel so left out. I always feel like my instructor is speaking a foreign language, and I'm the only person in the classroom who doesn't speak the language. I don't even have questions to ask, because I have no idea what he's saying in the first place.
I know that my obliviousness is, in part, due to the fact that I never really learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals and fractions. I don't know if I really even know how to do long subtraction, multiplication, and division. or correctly estimate. I've forgotten a lot of what I did know (been away from it for about 7 or 8 years).
As I said, I am literally terrified--like sweaty palms, and trembling bones--of failing my math class, because, the school board and government (financial aid department) has given me so many chances that if I fail this time, I will, indefinitely, be disqualified from ever receiving any type of financial aid again. It's also going to ruin many of my lshort-term and ong-term goals... so I really feel trapped. I've asked around for tutoring, and everyone I ask either doesn't know algebra themself or is too busy to lend any extra time. I'm trying my hardest not to give up, because I'm trying to break that pattern. But I just don't know what to do. Between my math and english class, I have so much to cram in 2 weeks--one class 1 week and a half.
By the way, I also realize that one of the little things slowing me down a is not knowing my times tables by heart. I don't know why I have a phopbia of memorizing things, but Xs tables is definitely one of those huge feats I want to conquer! It's a very simple and basic thing to most people, but to me, it's like being a Knight trying to slay the great dragon.
I know I'm making a mountain out of a molehill with times tables, but how did you learn them, and what would you say is the quickest way to learn them?
Natural Green Veins