I am 37yrs and i have a problem trying to understand pre-algebra.  I have a test next week Tuesday.  Help...?
444637
see this link\n\nhttp://library.thinkquest.org/20991/prealg/eq.html
311655
There are a lot of great sites out there that can help you along. \nAlso, you may want to check into some English help as well.\n\nhttp://www.math.com/
901926
I had a terrible time in algebra in ninth grade. Having a conference with the teacher to find out where I wasn't "getting it" did the trick. I didn't know what "1n" meant! I asked the teacher, and she patiently said, "it's the same as "n." That really opened my eyes. I hadn't figured that out, so it was like a light bulb going on!  For you, it may be something as simple, and so difficult if you aren't thinking mathematically. Math anxiety is a terrible thing.\n\nBy the way, I eventually got an A+ in calculus...me! I'd never have believed it.
509374
1.Read the text, slowly and clear ur concepts in between\n2.Read again briskly, underlining the important points.\n3.Make notes of any extras that u know, or u find hard to remember.\n4.Study's shud have a regular regime, give proper 2 hrs if u're not in high-school, otherwise make it 4 hrs., its important.\nFruits are gained either by regular studies/by mugging up to gain marks, i dont like the latter, bcos its not long time, u have to make a start, sticking on to the method above, gradually u'd increase ur speed of learning, and u'll do more in less time.Good Luck!!!!!\nYa n i forgot the maths-well u do sums, solve problems...start from 2 per day to 100 per day, first clear main concepts, n have a command over elementary mathematics...go further n solve problems, its laborious, but fruitful, u wont need to clear concepts again n again if ur basic is strong.Make it strong now or  never, u shud take anyquestion in the book, and start, try teaching maths to juniors, it really helps.
1148434
I don't think you will find it hard. They usually start from the basics even in college. But you have to visit the prof or tutors outside the class to be clear on some things.\n\nGo for it if you want to take it.\n\nI disagree with most of the answers below -  I took algebra in college and the first couple of weeks is usually a refresh of what is thought in high school. It dosen't start getting difficult until later on in the semester. Maybe I'm just smart but Algebra is one of the easiest form of math.
516830
http://www.gateways2learning.com/Algebra/Algebra.htm\n\nAlso try here.......\n\nYou may want to reconsider having it solve the answer for you, always know how to do the breakdown, it will help you to know "how" to go about it when you take a test.\n\nGood luck.....................
1150002
If you're taking the course through a bricks-and-mortar college, see if the college has math tutors available.  \nIf you're taking the course online or your school does not have tutors, there are websites online with free worksheets to help you with troubling concepts. Try one of the following or search google for "algebra help":\n\nhttp://www.algebrahelp.com/lessons/\nhttp://www.algebra.com/\nhttp://www.purplemath.com/\n\nIf it's really troubling you and worksheets just aren't cutting it, try purchasing a game from Best Buy or another computer store that focuses on Algebra skills.  They really do help.
39992
I believe the best way to teach someone algebra is to focus on the core skills, and make sure that this person has mastered each skill, one at a time.\n\nFirst you need to be sure that this person has mastered all the key math skills leading up to algebra, including:\nmultiplication, division, addition, and subtraction; \nfractions; \norder of operations; \nnegative numbers;\ncommutative property  5 + 6 = 6 + 5; and\ndistributive property  2*(10 + 4) = 2*10 + 2*4\nIf the student doesn't master these skills before moving forward, math will forever be a frustrating and difficult subject.\n\n\nA common mistake many people make in teaching algebra is not appreciating all the new concepts that one needs to understand before handling even the easiest problems.  Math can be easy for most students if you teach one skill at a time, and give them a chance to practice and master each skill before moving on.\n\nI've tutored many students, and this is the approach I've used successfully.  I give many, many example problems until I know a skill is fully mastered before moving to the next skill.  I usually follow this sequence of topics:\n\n1.  The symbol for multiplication is no longer an "X"\nX is used as a variable in algebra, so students have to stop thinking of it as a multiplication sign.  Give problems using a dot as the multiplication sign.\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\n2. The inverse of operations:  How do you undo an operation?\n27 + 3\nIf you want to get the 27 alone, how do you get rid of the 3?\nThe opposite of addition is subtraction, so you subtract 3:\n27 + 3 - 3 = 27\nAnd other operations:\n27 - 3 \n27 * 3\n27 / 3\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\n3. Handling unknown variables\nVariables are a new concept, so many students get scared when dealing with letters in math.\nBegin with easy questions that they're familiar with:\n5 * 4 = X;  find X\n21 + 4 = X;  find X\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\n4. Some harder problems with variables, still not using algebra yet\nX + 4 = 6; find X\n(What number plus 4 is 6?)\nX * 3 = 12; find X\n(What number times 3 is 12?)\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\n5. Solving those same easy problems using algebra by performing the same operation to both sides of an equation in order to get X alone.\nX + 4 = 6; find X\nYou want to get X alone, so you undo the "+4" by subtracting FROM BOTH SIDES\nX + 4 - 4 = 6 - 4\nX = 2\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\n6. Handling multiple operations:  Undo the addition or subtraction first, then the multiplication or division.\n4*X + 15 = 23\nYou want to get X alone, so you subtract 15 from both sides:\n4*X + 15 - 15 = 23 - 15\n4*X = 8\nThen divide both sides by 4:\n4*X/4 = 8/4\nX = 2\n[MANY practice problems]\n\n\nMastering this level of basic algebra takes the brightest students less than 30 minutes.  Any student who has already mastered all the pre-algebra skills can master basic algebra through skill 5 in under an hour.  Skill 6 can take a few hours of practice.
869787
Buy that CSET book and look at the practice tests, brush up on your math.  Start taking it early and do not take all three sections at once take like 2 at one time and then take the last one by itself.  Don't forget  to pray.  Before you take the test choose one answer that you will mark when you absolutely don't know an answer, everytime mark that letter.  When I didn't know an answer I marked "A" every time . Thats what I did and I passed, not becauase I was so smart but because I tried to strategize and prayed.
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Well, while the first answer is right, that probably doesn't answer your question if you're struggling.  \n\nI could try to explain, but your best bet would be face-to-face, one-on-one tutoring.  \n\nMost teachers (I stress MOST) are really understanding and really WANT you to learn.  They will usually stay after or come before school to meet with you to help.  If your math teacher won't do this, ask your counselor (not a math teacher, I know, but surely has been to college and had to take math courses). Just tell them your situation, and stress to them that you really WANT to learn it.\n\nOnce you get the basic understanding, they're not that bad.  \n\nGood luck, sugar.\n\n\n********\nPS  Jedi's answer is along the right track, but 2/3 is NOT the same as 2/9...\n\nYou have to take your denominator (the bottom number) and figure how many times it goes into 9.  That would be three times.  NOW you have to take that 3 and multiply it by the numerator also (the top number)... which would give you six (2 x 3)\n\nLike this (keep in mind that 3/3 is the same as 1, so when you multiply 3/3 by something, you're not changing the value of the first number, only the way it looks)...\n\n2/3 x 3/3\nmultiply across;  2 x 3 = 6\n                                 3 x 3 = 9\n\nnow you have 6/9, and since the bottom number is the same now as your 8/9 in the problem, you can subtract it from the 8/9.\n\n8/9 - 6/9 = 2/9\n\nGet it?
895063
Google the word algebra help.  Purple math is great, but there are other sites also.  I am sorry I do not have the names at the moment.
819086
This is what worked for me: I would read the book, follow the examples, do the exercises and would compare my answers with the book answers. If something was really difficult to understand, I would go to the teacher or to a personal tutor for an explanation. Hang in there...it will get better.
427324
Keep one table for one week say you start this week the table6, by the end of the week you should be able to say it without looking at the book. setup various excercises for the whole week like fill in the blanks, division. You should try to do the basic studies like the table of 2 beyond 20 like 21*2=42 till 40*2=80. \n\nThen you go to the higher tables. It will be easier to memorise. there are 10 hours a day you can recall 10 times one table. by the end of the year you will be an expert. \n\nI started this when I was in 9 years and when I was 12 was completely thorough.
817481
We can use faux-algebra to solve these. You probably haven't taken algebra yet. With algebra these would be extremely easy to solve. It's why algebra was invented.\n\na. 16 x ___ has to be -42, because if we add 51 to it we get 9. Thus, ____ has to be -42/16, or -21/8.\n\nb. 2 x ____ has to be 22 - 9 x _____, because if we subtract 8 from it we get 14 - 9 x ____. And 22 has to be 11 x ____, because if we subtract 9 x ____ from it we get 2 x ____. Thus, ____ has to be 22/11, or 2.\n\nc. 9 x ___ has to be 3 x ____ + 3, because if we add 2 to it we get 3 x ___ + 5.  And 3 has to be 6 x ____, becuase if we add 3 x ____ to it we get 9 x ____. Thus, ____ has to be 3/6, or 1/2.\n\nWith algebra, no such thinking would be required. You just plug in the formulas and grind away. You'll see when you study algebra.
242802
Why doesn't your mother already know that you are not very good at mathematics.\nMerely turning up for the lessons does not automatically mean you will pass. It is time for you to make an effort to understand and learn the work. You may need help with this.
1140264
You should be fine.  Just get some practice exams similar to the one you will be expecting.  Most standardized math exams have questions that are the same.  Work the practice exam.  If you can not remember things, hire a tutor for a few hours, that will speed things up greatly.  Don't stress, just practice.  You will do fine.  If this seems to daunting, go to a learning center at a local community college.  You can usually get free tutoring for hours.  Good luck.
1181037
You will find the worksheets at the website of http://www.algebra.com. This website is a free site. You can also pose Maths. questions there and will get answers at the cost of $0 (zero dollar).\n\nI am a free tutor there and you may see my lessons and solutions to problems at\nhttp://www.algebra.com/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=psbhowmick\n\nYou will find the worksheets at\nhttp://www.edhelper.com/algebra.htm