Is it possible for me to learn and become efficient in math?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>**Sorry, this is long! I tried to summarize it, but I wanted to be thorough, as well...</p>

<p>My dream is to learn math, even the complex principles, and to become thoroughly efficient in arithmetics. I want to be able to understand complex theories and formulas, and excel in science careers that involve math, like engineering (in general) and physics.</p>

<p>I never had a strong foundation in math. I never did my homework in elementary or junior high (home problems) and when I entered high school I decided that I wanted to put effort into my school work and excel. Despite making As in all of my other classes, I can never be more than barely passing in my math classes. Last year, in Geometry, I finished the semester with a B+, the highest grade I've ever had in math. It literally brought tears to my eyes, but this year I, once again, struggle to just pass.</p>

<p>There are 3 reasons I believe may be the reasons as to why I am not good in math:
- No foundation. The most important reason, I believe. Seeing as I never did my homework (which I now deeply regret) I never learned even the most basic of skills, such as solving equations or slopes. I can't continue to build if I don't have the foundation to which I can build on. I am unable to continue to accelerate in math as I lack these basic concepts, which only make the harder ones... Harder.
- The way I try to understand math. Unlike other classes, you cannot solely memorize math. Naturally, I attempt to memorize the steps in solving particular math problems. That means that I do not understand the math, and that I'm simply just trying to replicate the steps. I believe that perhaps it would be easier for me to understand math if I had the basic skills, listed above.
- The way I learn. I suppose this is about the same as what I listed above, but for me to understand math I need to understand the big picture, or see how what we are particularly studying (be it ellipses, logarithms, what have you) relates to the "big picture". I can't understand the concept by getting a small strip of it. None of my math teachers have ever really explained or showed how this all adds up. They just simply teach lesson by lesson. I find that for me to understand math a bit better I need to read it, but the textbook doesn't elaborate too much on what you are doing... I also need to take my own notes on notes, seeing visual pictures of the math equation as a "real thing" (I don't know how to describe that... sorry) and in videos.</p>

<p>I had previously opted to take Pre-Cal my senior year, but seeing as my math skills are so poor, I decided to take College Prep Math instead. I spoke to the teacher, who told me that we will be starting from the basics, as there are many people who missed the fundamental skills from the beginning. The thought of finally being able to understand math makes me so happy and excited, but I wonder...</p>

<p>Is it possible for anyone to actually not only understand math but be efficient in it as well? Can a person, who is terrible in math, re-learn it, to where they fully understand it? Is it possible, that only my bad foundation has kept me back from having potential in this subject?
If you have ANY advice at all, please tell me!
Are there books I can buy this summer to practice on before I start my senior year?
In college, will I still have an opportunity to build on my foundations?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading this; I truly want to understand math and be great in it. I love math, honestly, even when I don't understand it. It's like a complex puzzle, I just wish I knew what the teachers were talking about...</p>

2

<p>You’re never too old to learn :)</p>

<p>Maybe enroll in a remedial math course at a CC over the summer?</p>

3

<p>Never give up and use that motivation . You have a dream and ur motivated which means anything is possible</p>

4

<p>You can improve a lot I imagine. You probably haven’t done any proofs, or discrete mathematics (formal logic), so you probably don’t have a strong foundation in mathematics.</p>

<p>You also can’t expect to solve every problem quickly, if that’s why you think you aren’t good at math. If you approach a problem you’ve never done before, you’re most likely going to have to use some intelligent trial and error based off of what you know from prior problems you solved and what the problem tells you. No one can avoid this. People who are better are able to identify patterns faster and eliminate significantly more things to try, which allows them to solve math problems faster.</p>

5

<p>You got a B+ in geometry so you do have some ability. Keep trying and maybe you can break through. In the summer review the course and with any luck you will be able pick up a lot of the things that you missed.</p>

6

<p>You can buy books like (name of a math ie Algebra) For Dummies. I’m sure you have heard of these series. These books are really informational! I remember before going into 8th grade my dad bought me “Algebra for Dummies” and it was very informational and like you i wanted the bigger picture and these books truly express the bigger picture!
I am touched by your passion to learn if only the rest of the world was like this :slight_smile:
Work hard and you will see results!</p>

7

<p>Keep trying and never give up!</p>

<p>Practice more math problems and eventually you will get the basics and improve your math skills</p>

<p>If you have the drive and determination you will continually get better~</p>

8

<p>I had the same problem. I literally barely passed all math up to Geometry. Then I picked it up in Algebra 2, I still struggled but I started filling in the gaps in my math knowledge along the way. Math Analysis has given me such a strong math foundation its crazy!! All the stuff I didnt learn in earlier years, I learned in here. </p>

<p>I literally failed Algebra 1 just 2 years ago, now I have an A in Math Analysis (advanced pre-calc). You are mever too old to learn math :slight_smile: just learn it as you go.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>