Re-learning math
Nov. 6th, 2009 12:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sathorI've been skimming lots of mathematics related stuff lately, and there's a lot I'm remembering and noticing.
For one, I think I would've been a lot happier had a teacher /always given us the final, simple equation for solving things like, say, polynomials)
In this case, the quadratic formula.
There's a million other ways to find your answers, but the quadratic formula solves for all, simple and complex polynomials. Why not give that at first?
I remember being incredibly -bored- with everything high school had to offer, including maths. I think maybe the classes moved too slowly and this is what turned me off in the first place.
If I go back for computer science, i'm going to try and hammer math as much as possible. Considering symbolic logic is very math based, it might be a good thing - I do plan on taking most of my electives in philosophy.
This means starting over. But I'm kinda glad about that - I think I need to do that. At 22, I'm still plenty young to start towards a B.S.
For one, I think I would've been a lot happier had a teacher /always given us the final, simple equation for solving things like, say, polynomials)
In this case, the quadratic formula.
There's a million other ways to find your answers, but the quadratic formula solves for all, simple and complex polynomials. Why not give that at first?
I remember being incredibly -bored- with everything high school had to offer, including maths. I think maybe the classes moved too slowly and this is what turned me off in the first place.
If I go back for computer science, i'm going to try and hammer math as much as possible. Considering symbolic logic is very math based, it might be a good thing - I do plan on taking most of my electives in philosophy.
This means starting over. But I'm kinda glad about that - I think I need to do that. At 22, I'm still plenty young to start towards a B.S.
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Date: 2009-11-07 12:22 am (UTC)Factoring is amazingly more important than the quadratic formula. The quadratic formula is ONLY useful in polynomials where anything can be factored. In fact, you can factor something down TO a polynomial where you have to use the quad formula to get to the other half of the answer. Because usually in these types of problems there is more than one answer. Really that is why you should practice factoring. Because a polynomial is only one kind of equation. And does not work on exponential equations, which by the *very* limited knowledge I have of computer science you work with more. And base math...which Scott can explain incredibly well and my pea brain cannot hold very well. But confuses the hell out of me. Anyways...learn binary math. Learn factoring. You will be a step ahead.
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Date: 2009-11-07 03:22 pm (UTC)I had a some good stuff waiting for me when I got to Pittsburgh. How's that for service? Ahahah.
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Date: 2009-11-07 05:20 pm (UTC)