math help for my daughter ALGEBRA

[Wylie's Mom]

Okay, wow.

Algebra was one of my favorite subjects in school, but I now realize it's all gone...just gone.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay, wow.

Algebra was one of my favorite subjects in school, but I now realize it's all gone...just gone.

A) Why??? It's a headache and a half!
B) This is pretty close to college algebra level. I don't understand how young teenagers can do it.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by linz06

I wrote this down quickly so I'm not sure if it's the right answer but it was a nice quick break from work (I love math, I'm a geek)

Since you know what y is, you insert that value for y and you get:

-1/2-3 = 3/4x-8

First, you need common denominators if you want to add/subtract fractions. since the only fraction we need to worry about right now has a 2 on the bottom, put a 2 on the bottom of the other numbers we need to add an subtract. 3 becomes 6/2 and 8 becomes 16/2. Same value, just a common denominator. I'll put brackets around the fractions so they're easier to decipher in computer type. You end up with:

-(1/2) - (6/2) = (3/4x) - (16/2)

Now you can easily simplify the left side. You add or subtract the top numbers, so -1 - 6 = -7. Your new value for that side becomes -7/2:

-7/2 = (3/4x) - (16/2)

Simply add the 16/2 to both sides, which cancels it out on the right side and adds it to the left side. The bolded numbers cancel each other out and equal 0:

-(7/2) + (16/2) = (3/4x) - (16/2) + (16/2)

Add the -7 + 16 to end up with 9/2 on the left side:

9/2 = 3/4x

If you multiply 4x (in fraction form, 4x/1), the 4x will cancel out on the right side:

(9/2) * (4x/1) = (3/4x) * (4x/1)

When multiplying fractions, you can multiply straight across - top number times top number, over bottom number times bottom number. 9 * 4x = 36x, and 2 * 1 = 2. You end up with 36x/2:

36x/2 = 3

Now you can divide 36 by 2 and you end up simplifying to 12x:

12x = 3

To get x alone, you must divide both sides by 12:

x = 3/12, or simplified to x = 1/4

Originally Posted by mileydog

Actually it is wrong. X=6


9/2 = 3/4x

Up to this point you are correct.

However you simply need to multiply by 4 not 4x.

Thus you should get 36/2 = 3x
Simplified is 18 = 3x
18/3 = X
X=6

If you multiply 4x (in fraction form, 4x/1), the 4x will cancel out on the right side:

(9/2) * (4x/1) = (3/4x) * (4x/1)

When multiplying fractions, you can multiply straight across - top number times top number, over bottom number times bottom number. 9 * 4x = 36x, and 2 * 1 = 2. You end up with 36x/2:

36x/2 = 3

Now you can divide 36 by 2 and you end up simplifying to 12x:

BTW...Dividing 36x/2 gives 18x NOT 12x

12x = 3

To get x alone, you must divide both sides by 12:

x = 3/12, or simplified to x = 1/4

I think there is a much simpler way to do this problem. There are too many opportunities for mistakes with having the same denominator, and there's no need in this problem. If you need me to talk you through it by phone, I'd be happy to help. I've done it many times with my students and their parents when they are struggling at home.

set both y values to equal
-3 1/2 = 3/4x-8
add 8 to both sides

5 1/2 = 3/4x
multiply both sides by 4 to get rid of the denominator
11/2 x 4 =3x
21=3x
x=7

check:
-2.5=3/4x -8
add 8 to both sides

5.5=3/4 x7
5.5=21/4
5.5=5.5

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

A) Why??? It's a headache and a half!
B) This is pretty close to college algebra level. I don't understand how young teenagers can do it.

Unfortunately, they are doing this now starting at seventh grade, and in New York State students in eighth or ninth grade have to solve problems like this on an Algebra Regents. The test has a great many word problems, as well. It causes a lot of frustration for students who struggle in math.

[Ellie May]

That is terrible and crazy. I think I have dyscalculus and couldn't even imagine being forced to do this in 7th grade.

My first college level algebra class had this sort of thing in it. There is no way a 9th grader should have to do it if they aren't ready.

[deonk1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay, wow.

Algebra was one of my favorite subjects in school, but I now realize it's all gone...just gone.

I was thinking the same thing... you wanna know what the sad thing is...
I'm only 22.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by lisaly

I think there is a much simpler way to do this problem. There are too many opportunities for mistakes with having the same denominator, and there's no need in this problem. If you need me to talk you through it by phone, I'd be happy to help. I've done it many times with my students and their parents when they are struggling at home.

set both y values to equal
-3 1/2 = 3/4x-8
add 8 to both sides

5 1/2 = 3/4x
multiply both sides by 4 to get rid of the denominator
11/2 x 4 =3x
21=3x
x=7

check:
-2.5=3/4x -8
add 8 to both sides

5.5=3/4 x7
5.5=21/4
5.5=5.5

I wrote 5,5 instead of 4.5
4.5 = 3/4x
multiply by 4
18=3x
divide by 3
x=6

without simple calculation errors, this involves less steps. So many people have problems with denominators, and there really is no need to have the same denominators.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

That is terrible and crazy. I think I have dyscalculus and couldn't even imagine being forced to do this in 7th grade.

My first college level algebra class had this sort of thing in it. There is no way a 9th grader should have to do it if they aren't ready.

I agree with you. The school that I teach in goes from eighth grade to twelfth grade. Although it is a high school, eighth graders are not high school students, yet they are now taking this course in eighth grade. Most will be be able to take Calculus as seniors by taking this course early, but I hate to see the students who already struggle in Math having so much stress at such an early age. It makes me very sad.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay, wow.

Algebra was one of my favorite subjects in school, but I now realize it's all gone...just gone.

I agree. Gawd and I used to be good at math too. I'm going to stick to washing dogs......at least i still know how to dilute a 10 to 1 or 8 to 1

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Darlene68

Algebra!?? Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!!! *runs away*

joining in on the runing away party!

[2Morkies]

Ugggh, I need help with algebra. I hate it!!!! I hope you figure it out. I think you can google the answer though.

[Jennxling]

I loved algebra!! It was an easy A...*sigh* I have to go and take trig, pre-calc, and calc after I graduate to fulfill Veterinarian school's requirements...and SO much science courses I'd rather do algebra all day!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Jennxling

I loved algebra!! It was an easy A...*sigh* I have to go and take trig, pre-calc, and calc after I graduate to fulfill Veterinarian school's requirements...and SO much science courses I'd rather do algebra all day!

I loved algebra and calculus. Never took trig. I remember nothing about them now though. Absolutely nothing.

[IamMiasmom]

ALSO a good book for reference is KISS MY MATH or MATH DOESN'T SUCK by Danica McKellar (Winnie from Wonder Years) has been a BIG help with my daughter. Just for books to look at

[mileydog]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

That is terrible and crazy. I think I have dyscalculus and couldn't even imagine being forced to do this in 7th grade.

My first college level algebra class had this sort of thing in it. There is no way a 9th grader should have to do it if they aren't ready.

In the US most students never study calculus until college.

In India and China, students study calculus in 9th grade.

Those same students studying in India and China are then coming to the US for college.

Guess which students are performing better in math at college? The US or Asia based students?