Math application

[Funkmasterr]

So I decided I'm finally going to do the college thing. I'm going to get my degree in physics.

I want to get brushed up on math before I take a placement test. I'm hoping to test well enough to start in intermediate algebra. I am fine with the basics, basically anything up to algebra, but I want to find some kind of computer program/website to try and re teach myself whatever I can over the next couple months.

Has anyone used something like this that may have a suggestion?

[Larst]

I watched a couple GMAT prep videos on http://www.khanacademy.org/ and they were pretty well done. There are TONS of math topics (would have been nice to have some Discrete Math coverage when I was taking it though ). Good luck with your math prep dude.

[Leonaerd]

At intermediate algebra level you won't be able to apply most physics theory. I would get Safari and storm through algebra, trig, and get through calculus with the goal of testing out of one or two classes next semester. Physics is really fun once you get to quantum theory.

Make sure you do all the practice problems.

Good luck.

[Winnow]

Check Itunes U for online courses if you have an iPad!

[Avestan]

Khan academy is the bomb. You don't need any other resources to brush up on your skills and learn things completely from scratch.

[Funkmasterr]

Thanks all! I'll check those suggestions out and see what I can do.

[Aslanna]

Math is something that always makes me frustrated. I just have a hard time 'getting it' like some people. I'm not sure if more practice or whatever would help. I made it through Calc 2 (barely) but that was about it. And my brain has pretty much forgotten everything I learned.

[Spang]

Fuck math right in the goddamn ear. Seriously.

[Avestan]

Math

[Funkmasterr]

I ended up testing out of reading/writing entirely, and placed in intermediate algebra. I finished that class a few weeks back with around 105%, so far so good.

What I'm trying to decide is which class/es to try and test out of, the classes I have to get through in my first two years (before I transfer to the U of M) are:
Intermediate Algebra 2
College Algebra
Trig
Calculus
Calculus 2

I'm thinking maybe college algebra is the one to try and test out of, from what I hear you don't learn as many new concepts in that class, it's just using stuff you already know in new ways. That being said, I want to make sure I really understand this stuff as it's going to be the foundation for what I intend to do for a living.

Also, the school I'm attending offers a pre-calc class that combines college algebra and trig. I've had some people tell me to take this instead of both if I'm comfortable, and others have told me to take college algebra then pre calc. Anyone have any experience with these combo type classes at that level? I'm going to ask a counselor at the school, just haven't gotten to it yet.

[Zaelath]

I had a 10 year break between high school (ubergeek level) math and uni math, and found calculus to be a _major_ pain in the ass to get my head around again.

I would suspect Intermediate Algebra is a breeze, but I would guess College Algebra is going to have matricies which will take a while to get a handle on.

Can't speak to uni level Trig. Physics was a ball though

[Leonaerd]

I'm thinking maybe college algebra is the one to try and test out of, from what I hear you don't learn as many new concepts in that class, it's just using stuff you already know in new ways. That being said, I want to make sure I really understand this stuff as it's going to be the foundation for what I intend to do for a living.

College Algebra will provide useful concepts that will ease your brain into really understanding Riemann Sums and other foundations of calculus. I wouldn't skimp on the studies for this one.

In your situation, I would try to test out of trig. You can (relatively quickly) get to a certain plateau of (non-calculus) trig knowledge, at which point you basically know all that there is to know, or can at least infer the important concepts. What I mean is - you probably won't need an entire semester to learn trig if you're truly dedicated to your self-studies. From there, trig extends deep into Calculus, where its application is much more intricate (and enjoyable).

Calc 1 can be a bitch until you get into integration. Calc 2 is like a victory lap. Calc 3 is punishment for those who didn't give enough fucks.

And then there's diff eq... /shudder

[Chidoro]

Fuck math right in the goddamn ear. Seriously.

what a surprising comment from the master of logic. Did not expect that WG

[Funkmasterr]

I'm thinking maybe college algebra is the one to try and test out of, from what I hear you don't learn as many new concepts in that class, it's just using stuff you already know in new ways. That being said, I want to make sure I really understand this stuff as it's going to be the foundation for what I intend to do for a living.

College Algebra will provide useful concepts that will ease your brain into really understanding Riemann Sums and other foundations of calculus. I wouldn't skimp on the studies for this one.

In your situation, I would try to test out of trig. You can (relatively quickly) get to a certain plateau of (non-calculus) trig knowledge, at which point you basically know all that there is to know, or can at least infer the important concepts. What I mean is - you probably won't need an entire semester to learn trig if you're truly dedicated to your self-studies. From there, trig extends deep into Calculus, where its application is much more intricate (and enjoyable).

Calc 1 can be a bitch until you get into integration. Calc 2 is like a victory lap. Calc 3 is punishment for those who didn't give enough fucks.

And then there's diff eq... /shudder

Makes sense, thanks. And why the shudder? I have to take that class

[Leonaerd]

because -

[Show]

[Funkmasterr]

Easy