How to stop being terrible at math?

mntorankusu

I guess I need some help with math. I never paid attention to math in school, and even though I got acceptable grades, I actually ended up knowing next to nothing about anything. Now this is coming back to bite me in the ass, because I'm finding myself in situations where I need to use knowledge that I do not have.

Does anyone know any good resources for learning "from scratch"? I just don't know where to start. Like a website or book with succinct, well-written lessons that assume the person reading it is barely functional. Or just any kind of help that anyone can offer when it comes to learning math.

Google isn't being much help here, and I would like specific recommendations from actual people anyway, rather than trying to use random things I found on the internet.

Thanks dudes

Skoal Cat

Check out Kahn University (google it)

mntorankusu

Oh, right. I saw that guy on The Colbert Report and I've been meaning to check it out. I will do that, thanks!

Is Kahn Academy all videos? I would like some written lessons too, that I can print out, or books. I don't have internet at my parents' house, so stuff that I can read while I'm there would be helpful.

Quid

I don't know what level you're at but when I reviewed a CLEP study guide for a College Mathematics test I surprised myself at how much better I did than in school. You might just need some simple review with good motivation.

Hahnsoo1

How basic are we talking about here? I've read some good things about JUMP Math, which covers Grades 1 to 8. Because much of basic mathematics builds upon each fundamental and scaffolds them, a step-by-step lesson plan like that might be up your alley.

Other non-lesson plan resources include math.com and betterexplained.com.

Terrendos

Yeah, you need to define "from scratch." Do you mean Algebra? Geometry? Addition and subtraction?

For the former two, if you learned it at one point, you could probably do with a review book of some kind, like an SAT prep or something. I'm a mechanical engineer, and a lot of the math I learned in classes felt like it flew out of my head right after the final exam. The thing is, it tends to stick in there more than you think, and when I've needed that math again, just a bit of review was enough to trigger my recollection of everything I needed.

mntorankusu

I'm fine with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. I'm not completely unfamiliar with geometry and algebra, but I will often find myself looking at problems without a clue how to solve them. So middle school math and up, I suppose.

Quid

That's what I figured out through a CLEP book. Like Terrendos said a lot of that information is there, you might just need to review it.

Sentry

I failed math pretty much every time I took it. Took college algebra three times before I finally passed it. This summer I decided to try and rectify my math deficiency. I studied up on everything at Kahn Academy, just watching the videos and doing the exercises, and I am now acing my Pre-calculus course and am confident about Calc in the Fall.

Personal anicdote but Kahn Academy really does help. And it is not just videos but also practice problems.

Jimmy King

I was terrible at math in high school and my first attempt at college. Now, at 31, I am having to deal with math in college again. Like the others here, I've found Kahn Academy to be really helpful. The guy giving the lessons is very clear and it's all in small, easily digestible chunks of information.

You might also look into classes at a local community college if you've got the spare time and money. They've got remedial math classes (at least at my community colleges) down to the simplest of stuff. I'm currently in a class covering basic algebra - linear equations, exponents in equations, etc. and there are 2 or 3 math classes that are more basic than this one available for students who need them.

Mim

Purple Math might be of some use to you?

Terra

I wouldn't take a college course unless you need accreditation. They usually have to cover what seems like a lot of material in a short amount of time. It can be easy to get behind and discouraged. You might also find that in the class best suited for you, there is information you're expected to know, but don't. I'd recommend doing something at your own pace.

MagicToaster

Math is just like learning a language, if you only study it once in a while you will be terrible at it. If you incorporate it into your daily life, you'll be better.

I'm also terrible at math but what I've do is calculate everything in my mind; from the change I'm supposed to get back at the cash register to the numerical combinations I have to do at work. After 3 years of doing this, my skills have gotten better.

There is no secret; just slow, daily progress. But you have to seek the oportunity to use math. They are everywhere, just look!