Mathematics from scratch to Calc III

[fsmaine0020]

Good evening from Japan!

I'm 35 years old with basic Algebra skills. It has been a personal goal of mine to improve my mathematical skills and reasoning. It is pretty cut and dry on what I need to do. Start at Algebra and work my way up to Calculus and beyond.

I'm curious to see how long it would take. You know how some people do crossword puzzles ? I want to do that but with math problems. I'm not looking to be a math professor or anything but I'd like to get a ways into it.

I have two boys that are 8 and 6. I'd like to be able to push them, help and teach them.

I've knocked out ALEKS courses that I didn't particularly care for. I just hated the format of it. The highest they go is Pre-calc I believe.

[Prloko]

Mathematics is one of those subjects best taken in person with someone who can explain the concepts and hang-ups. It is not impossible to learn on your own, but it will be difficult.

You can try going on Barnes and Noble or Amazon and checking out the "demystified" or "dummy" books. Start just below your level to refresh and work your way up.

[bluebooger]

I think you can learn most math just by watching these two guys

PatrickJMT

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/


but there is also

this just started yesterday ( June 28 )
https://prod-edx-mktg-edit.edx.org/cours...calc001x-0

this starts August 24
https://www.edx.org/course/linear-algebr...x-ut-5-04x

edx courses can be taken for free or pay and get a verified crtificate (if you want verified certificate I believe you have to have a web cam so they can verify you are the one doing the work)

they have lots of math and statistics courses and computer science courses taught in different languages
https://www.edx.org/course/subject/math

study.com has lots of courses --- but its $50 a month
Math Courses - Online Classes with Videos | Study.com


udemy has lots of courses --- here is a list of the free math and science ones -- some are really good, some are really bad
https://www.udemy.com/courses/academics/...ee&lang=en

[TrailRunr]

ALEKS is a great way to finish off your math credits if you don't need to take any further math courses. And you should do the ALEKS to get ACE credits in. But it's not a good way to meet the prerequisites for later math courses. You will struggle badly if you do the minimum 70% on ALEKS and try to take calculus. You should be aiming for 95+% in ALEKS, but I'd probably use something else for learning math. Along with what's been recommended above (I like PatrickJMT), it's important to not rush it. Take at least 6 weeks per class and longer if you're struggling. If you learn the early math courses thoroughly, you will save yourself a lot of time and aggravation by not struggling later on. Topics like trig, which seem irrelevant, will come back to haunt you in a big way later on. Thinkwell math courses by professor Burger may work for you in Japan since you need a good English speaking math instructor.

TL;DR - Take your time. ALEKS 70% pass is poor preparation for future math courses.

[dfrecore]

+1 on ALEKS. I also used ALEKS for credits. I did Beginning Algebra and Intermediate Algebra to 100%, even though I didn't need to - I just figured I couldn't do well on College Algebra if I only got to 70% in Intermediate Algebra.

BUT, at this point in time, I'm slowly going back through Khan Academy. I actually am doing each grade (3-8), and each subject (Arithmetic-Algebra and then Stats). I do the Mastery Challenges for a grade, until I run out of them, then move on to the next grade. Then I work my way through the Subjects. I have finished Early Math, Arithmetic, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade and Pre-Algebra. Some things from 5th grade I've never seen before in my life, so I'm actually having to learn some new things. Since I taught my kids with non-common-core materials, I'm assuming that some of this is new common-core crap (some of it is really, really stupid, and the "hard" way of doing things). So you might actually have to learn that stuff so you can help your kids with their homework.

I advise using a variety of materials. Even though I did ALEKS, it didn't cover everything that's on Khan. So it's good to be using something else (plus it's very intuitive to use the Khan setup and work through the program). I also like the option of a video as opposed to only having written info on ALEKS. If I needed to go higher, I'd probably use a couple of other programs as well, or even take CC courses. Nothing beats having a good teacher to help you when you get stuck.

Anyway, I commend you on going through all of the hard work, and just encourage you to continue on. Good luck!

[cookderosa]

10,000 hours. There is a theory that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master of something, and math is probably more in that category than anything else. What takes time is learning intuition, and what builds skill is working problem sets.
If you hated ALEKS, you could try study.com or Straigtherline- both are different approaches.
Also, what you might like and it would be a ton more fun (but not a tick box on your college credit journey) is to watch the math class called Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur T Benjamin. We have The Great Courses version, but you might be able to get it on youtube. It's pretty cheap even if you pay full price, I think $20 or so. THAT'S a class I wish I would have had when I was still young and learning math.

EDIT to add: here is his 15 minute TED talk. Amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4PTvXtz4GM

[fsmaine0020]

Thank you for all of the inputs. I definitely want to start from the bottom and work my way up as the fundamentals are very important. I didn't realize how important something very simple like "Order of Operations" would be in later stages of mathematics. I definitely agree with the 10,000 hours thing.

My goal is definitely not necessarily a college degree because I've already done that. I think its very important to teach our children Science and Mathematics in order to get into a decent career field. Our education system appears to weed people out of opportunities in the Math/Science/English areas.

I was looking at some of the mathematics degrees and although that would be a huge accomplishment for me. I think I'd have to prepare on my own prior to even thinking about taking a mathematics course.

Thank you for the inputs so far. I will look at them.

[cavediver]

Thank you for all of the inputs. I definitely want to start from the bottom and work my way up as the fundamentals are very important. I didn't realize how important something very simple like "Order of Operations" would be in later stages of mathematics. I definitely agree with the 10,000 hours thing.

My goal is definitely not necessarily a college degree because I've already done that. I think its very important to teach our children Science and Mathematics in order to get into a decent career field. Our education system appears to weed people out of opportunities in the Math/Science/English areas.

I was looking at some of the mathematics degrees and although that would be a huge accomplishment for me. I think I'd have to prepare on my own prior to even thinking about taking a mathematics course.

Thank you for the inputs so far. I will look at them.

I don't know why I have not seen anyone mention this website here, as it is free and an incredible resource for learning various topics (Math, Science, Economics & Finance, Arts & Humanities), called Kahn Academy. Check it out I think you will find all would would like to know about Math (Early math all the way to Calc).

[bluebooger]

I don't know why I have not seen anyone mention this website here ... called Kahn Academy...

post number 3

I think you can learn most math just by watching these two guys

PatrickJMT

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/

....

[Outis]

I enjoy Dr. Burger's material at Thinkwell. I started out with the pre-algebra book in The Art of Problem Solving series and worked up from there. You can memorize formulas, or understand why a particular rule exists (proofs). This helped me realize that once you understand something thoroughly, you do not need to be so worried about rote memorization. Combine these two materials with ALEKS (for credit), and are on your way.

I think it's a pretty bad approach to pull out the popcorn and simply watch Khan Academy videos. As supplemental material, fine. Not a spectator sport!