Register

I Failed Algebra

Dyscalculia

By: Desperaux
Written on February 16th, 2013
I took Algebra I in Eighth Grade. I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to put me in advanced math, but it wasn't thought out very well. The teacher was very strict, and had no patience for a daydreamer like me. That class made my brain feel like melted wax, and I stopped doing all my work. I guess I didn't fail it so much as get kicked out. Now I'm in the normal class, and none of my problems have changed....
By: Desperaux
Age: 13-15 , Female
69 people have read this story

Your Response

Please respond with authenticity, support, and respect
By clicking "Post", you confirm that you agree to the Terms of Service of Experience Project, Inc.
3 responses
  • 0
    NEW!
    Spotlight outstanding comments to help more people see them, and to show your appreciation to the author.
    LikesDiapers
    LikesDiapers

    I LOATHED algebra when I had to take it (9th grade). I love the word you used to describe the problem (I had never heard it before) -- there's obviously nothing wrong with your verbal skills! My big problem with algebra was that all I had done before was really little more than basic arithmetic. Now suddenly there were word problems, the Distributive Property, polynomials, ugh! Are people your age still forced to learn something called "the Foil Method?" Much to my algebra teacher's disgust, I renamed "the Iteration Method" "the Irritation Method!" lol!

    I can tell ya this: don't give up too soon. One of the things about algebra (calculus, too, unfortunately) is that you can never understand it the first time around. Only the SECOND time you take it does it suddenly start to make any sense at all. In other words, it's recursive -- you have to get to the end, and see where you're supposed to end up, before you can understand the beginning! Grrr! And *&^%$#@!!

    Good luck with it -- it really does start getting better, I promise! :)

    Feb 16
    1 like
    • 0
      NEW!
      Spotlight outstanding comments to help more people see them, and to show your appreciation to the author.
      Desperaux
      Desperaux

      Yep, the foil method is still very much a "thing".

      One thing that I didn't mention before is that I had an absolutely terrible math teacher in seventh grade. I didn't learn anything from her, and therefore had a very shaky understanding of many basic principles when I started Algebra.

      I hadn't heard about it being recursive, either - it explains a lot. It's good to know that things will get improve :)

      Feb 19
      1 like
    • 0
      NEW!
      Spotlight outstanding comments to help more people see them, and to show your appreciation to the author.
      LikesDiapers
      LikesDiapers

      Also, if you're any good at thinking outside the box, you're usually in trouble when it comes to algebra and calculus. For example (this is one of my favorites):

      If Pipe A can fill Tank A in 3 hours, and Pipe B can fill Tank A in 4 hours, how long will it take to fill Tank A if both pipes A and B are running together?

      OK, first of all, why did they install Pipe B if Pipe A can already fill Tank A faster?

      Secondly, who cares how long it takes? Why don't they just pay some dropout minimum wage to watch Tank A and turn the water off when it's full??

      I know -- we're just not supposed to ask questions like those . . .

      Feb 21
      1 like