I must be going crazy...

[dchenes]

Extension School registration started yesterday, and I'm still debating with myself whether or not I want to take anything. It used to be that if I was going to take anything, I was going to take German, but now I'm debating about math.

I've started to wonder if the reason I hate math is because of the way I was taught it. I had a really good geometry teacher, and that was the only year I ever got consistently good grades in math. The less said about trigonometry, the better. The only thing I remember about algebra is that the book was yellow, and it was the bane of my existence. I don't think it was a very good math book in general, either. So I've started to wonder lately whether I might get anything out of taking another crack at algebra. It might not ever be fun, but at least now I'm not facing parental and collegiate-admissions disapproval if I don't do well with it.

On a semi-related note, why is it that math was the only subject that gave me assignments like "problems 1-12, 25, 27, 32, 36 and 39"? What's the deal with skipping around like that?

Comments

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

So long as you know you will have time for the homework and the space its going to take in your head to reorganize how you think about the subject, I'd say go for the math course. Getting rid of your previous issues with math could do a hell of a lot to make life easier and open up future work possibilities. Can also be cross-applied to learning computer stuff since sometimes the thinking process is similar and comes from the same place in your brain. Take German next semester. And while you are doing so, plan an immersion trip to use some of those vacation days you've got stashed up at the beginning of summer!

[buckeyebrain.livejournal.com]

Most math texts 'pair' similar problems. For example, #2 is the same type as #1, #4 is the same type as #3 and so on. That way you can just do the 'odd' problems and if you're still stuck, go back and do the 'evens' for more practice.

As for the "1-12, 25, 27 yada yada" issue, that's usually instructor preference to emphasize certain skills and de-emphasize things that they don't feel is worth wasting time on.

If you take algebra and get stuck, post on LJ or get a hold of me. I miss tutoring. :-)