"School Thread" or "Math + Seil = *headdesk*"

[Seil]

I think it's less "I hate math," and more "my teacher is insane and tries to teach us everything about something in a few sentences."

Or it could just be that I'm fail:

1/2(4x - 8)-2/3(-3x+6) = 4x-8

[Pip Boy]

Originally Posted by Seil

I think it's less "I hate math," and more "my teacher is insane and tries to teach us everything about something in a few sentences."

Or it could just be that I'm fail:

1/2(4x - 8)-2/3(-3x+6) = 4x-8

1/2(4x - 8) - 2/3(-3x + 6) = 4x - 8
distribute the half and negetive two thirds

2x - 4 + 2x - 4 = 4x - 8

combine like terms

4x -8 = 4x -8

add 8 to both sides, divide by four

x=x

No definite solution

[BattyAsHell]

Originally Posted by Seil

Math is stupid. It would be so much simpler if we were analyzing poetry or something.

Heh, I was arguing something like this years ago, but with regards to colors...

[bluestarultor]

I deal with math as a programmer and web designer, but it's definitely not calc. Or at least I HAVEN'T used calc. I had to take Calc I twice to pass it, but part of that is because the first time around was at 8AM when my insomniac roomie kept me up until at least 2AM nightly, if not later. There are days I ended up in class without remembering how I got there.

I do remember some of the stuff, like integration and deintegration, vaguely, but only the shortcuts. And, well, stuff like what "5!" means, if not the name, and sigma notation. But I highly doubt that's all I was taught.

[Seil]

1/2(4x - 8) - 2/3(-3x + 6) = 4x - 8
distribute the half and negetive two thirds

2x - 4 + 2x - 4 = 4x - 8

combine like terms

4x -8 = 4x -8

add 8 to both sides, divide by four

x=x

No definite solution

That's the part I'm screwing up on. I keep trying to "Solve" it, instead of what they want me to do. The answer is right, by the teacher's terms:

1/2(4x - 8) - 2/3(-3x + 6)
= 1/2(4x)+1/2(-8)-2/3(-3x)+2/3(6)
= 2x-4+2x-4
= 4x-8

The "/" in this case means a fraction, not division.

[Grimpond]

Originally Posted by Seil

The "/" in this case means a fraction, not division.

I'm pretty sure thats how he did it. Unless my math is terribul too.

[Squall Leonhart]

I remember a while back I was actually studying algebra, calculus, equations and currently, probability & statistics. It was interesting, even though I failed Calculus I and I'm glad that's over with, but I kinda thought it was fun while it lasted, mainly, because I had a very good professor.

Still, I don't really know how you can actually use Equations in a Logistics career...

[Wigmund]

My horrific performance in Calculus and Physics due to among other things my inability to comprehend large equations in which it is nothing but letters and symbols with no real tangible link to the real world has prompted me to decide that I no longer want to be a Physics major (also stress, anxiety and depression had a hand in this).

Next semester I'm exploring Geology, Biology and Chemistry to see if I like what I find there. They have math, but at least it's linked to something and it doesn't feel like someone was making up shit as they went along. I've already passed the highest required math classes required for any of those majors, so that's gonna help.

[Eltargrim]

Originally Posted by Seil

That's the part I'm screwing up on. I keep trying to "Solve" it, instead of what they want me to do. The answer is right, by the teacher's terms:

1/2(4x - 8) - 2/3(-3x + 6)
= 1/2(4x)+1/2(-8)-2/3(-3x)+2/3(6)
= 2x-4+2x-4
= 4x-8

The "/" in this case means a fraction, not division.

You've done the LHS (Left-hand-side) correctly, now compare it to the RHS.

They're the same.

You can then distill it down to x = x. That's the solution. X is an arbitrary number; it could be -10, 5000, 42, i; it doesn't matter. The equation given will hold no matter the value of x.

And that's it. Solved. Don't overthink things.

Locke: I feel your pain. This year saw a condensed course on ODEs, PDEs, and series solutions. I am just about done with Frobenius. Seriously, that fucker can go spin. I don't care how helpful his solutions are, reindexing things makes my head spin.

EDIT: My Lackadaisy compatriot, math in chemistry is very dependent on what route you take. A lot of algebra is a given, and you will see matrices if you head towards quantum disciplines. But it still feels like they make shit up unless you understand the fundamentals. Physics is actually really good for explaining stuff if you understand the first principles.

Edit edit: fractions and division are indistinguishable. 5x/3 is the same as 5 times x divided by 3.

Edit edit edit: I too used to hate math. Then I realized that if I actually practice it's not that bad.

[Seil]

That was an example - it's not the one I did. I think my problem is that when I see "-4x+5(3-5x)" I think it means "-4x plus 5" instead of just negative-four-x positive-five.