Tips on passing Algebra 2?

[Fanatic]

Hi there,
Basically, all semester overall I have been failing all of my unit tests for algebra 2. To pretty much sum it up, I usually have been getting D's and F's on my tests. Is there any helpful tips for algebra 2 I can do? I've tried re-doing the problems over, but it doesn't effect my tests that well. I could get a tutor, but I want to pass my test for tomorrow's unit test. Thanks anyone who helps cause it could effect my grade badly or in a beneficial way.

[QuantumModulus]

First, go here and watch a few videos (the Algebra section on this site is immense, and the content is accessible):

http://www.khanacademy.org/

I also suggest just drilling with several challenging problems. On Khan Academy's site, there is a feature with which you can use concepts from the videos to solve problems to drive the lesson to completion, and for a lot of people, it really helps to solidify understanding. Just go to the "Practice" link at the uppermost part of the webpage. Hope this helps!

[JKmadu619]

Basic testing notes:

Sleep at least nine hours the night before, ten is ideal.

Eat breakfast, prefferably eggs, bagels or other heavy foods that will engergize you.

Do a quick review the morning before, confidence should ensue.

Reschedule if for any reason something happening in your life will impare your testing abilities. (Family issues, death, other tough stuff.) but do not lie to abuse this courtesy teacher offer.

General help: Practice is required in math, flashcards are great. You need to put down the video games/computer for a couple days and get your grades up. Buy programs or hire tutors to help you, and basically just do what you know needs to be done. You know spending time online will not improve your grades, and you know studying more will. Basically you just need to do what you know will help.

- Justin

[BECCALICIOUS!]

Practice problems. Flashcards aren't really useful for math until you get to the unit circle, derivatives, and integrals, which is precalc/calc. When you're in class take notes on the section and do the practice problems with your teacher. What helps me is writing exactly what I do for each step, even if it's just "simplify by a factor of x" or "substitution" or something like that. Good math notes have helped me a LOT.

[Dez]

I just did Algebra II last year, and PRACTICE is definitely an important part. Have you ever heard of the mathematical process called RAP? My Algebra II teacher taught us it last year:

First you read the problem and highlight/underline/circle/write down any facts and units that can help you. You then ask yourself what the goal is, and what the units of the goal are. Then you write down what steps you will take to solve the problem, then you actually DO the problem. Then you check your answer and make sure it makes sense. Then you restate the answer, like if you were trying to figure out how many computers Best Buy sold last year and the answer was 1000, you would write: Best Buy sold 1000 computers last year.

Always make sure you take a LOT of notes (last year my math teacher made us take a looooot of those) and check over all work before handing it in (our teacher made us do that or we'd lose points). Don't be afraid to ask your teacher if you're doing it right, like on homework, etc, because there's no point in teaching yourself the wrong way to do it. Stay for extra help if needed.