Do I Have To Take College Algebra
Before considering what classes you should or shouldn’t take, students MUST first talk with their program/college advisor.
Here are some reasons students may not necessarily have to take College Algebra:
1) COLLEGE ALGEBRA ISN’T REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
Some degree programs do not require that students take higher level MATH courses.
College Algebra acts as a prerequisite for courses like Plane Trigonometry, Precalculus, Survey of Calculus, Mathematical Thought, Finite, and Calculus.
For non-MATH heavy majors, we also offer Quantitative Reasoning .
Quantitative Reasoning is about working with functions, probability, finance, and more but is NOT a prerequisite for the higher-level courses mentioned above. Students can get up to 12 hours of MATH credit and place into introductory STAT classes.
2) COLLEGE ALGEBRA PREREQUISITES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MET
Referring to mathplacement.uark.edu, simply having a high enough placement score can mean you are able to skip College Algebra all together. Tests taken before college, like the ACT and SAT, may give students the prerequisites for higher-level courses before they even begin classes at the university.
For those students who don’t have a satisfactory ACT or SAT score, the department also offers students to take the ALEKS Math Placement Test to test out of lower-level MATH courses. This exam is $25.00 for registered students of the University, and exam attempts must be proctored to count as credit.
What Is College Algebra In College
College Algebra is an introductory MATH course offered by the University for undergraduate students. Topics include the solution and application of linear and quadratic equations and inequalities functions, graphs, and theory of equations matrix solutions of systems of equations and basic properties of matrices.
Seek Help During Office Hours
Getting help during office hours, or making use of the universitys tutoring services, is not a sign of failure, says Dr. OShaughnessy. My best students are the ones that come to office hours and learn from their mistakes. Start early and come often. Whether you have trouble with a specific problem, or if you just want help wrapping your head around a general concept, you will greatly benefit from every visit you take to your professors office hours.
Meeting one-on-one with your professor shows that you care about your work, and they will gladly help you in whatever way they can. Especially if you are enrolled in a large class, they wont know that youre struggling unless you ask for help. Dr. OShaughnessy says that the biggest mistake students make is they realize they need help too late. If you get stuck on a homework problem, bring it to office hours, even if it is the first week of classes!
In addition to asking for help outside of class, you will gain a lot of asking questions and being an active participant during class. Make a point to engage with your professorraise your hand, ask for clarification, and let yourself engage with the material instead of sitting passively and letting the lecture wash over you. This will also motivate you to stay invested in the material by taking notes as you follow along.
Recommended Reading: How To Ask A College For More Money
What Should I Study For The Clep College Algebra Test
A good CLEP College Algebra study guide for the math section of the test will ensure that your foundational skills are solid. Your review of the math on the CLEP College Algebra should include the following: performing operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals reasoning algebraically memorizing the characteristics of basic geometric shapes understanding measurement representing and analyzing data and statistics. Any worthwhile CLEP College Algebra test study guide will incorporate the means for strengthening these essential skills.
Example: Factor 4×2 9
Hmmm… there don’t seem to be any common factors.
But knowing the Special Binomial Products gives us a clue called the “difference of squares”:
Because 4×2 is 2, and 9 is 2,
So we have:
And that can be produced by the difference of squares formula:
= a2 b2
Where a is 2x, and b is 3.
So let us try doing that:
= 2 2 = 4×2 9
Yes!
So the factors of 4×2 9 are and :
Answer: 4×2 9 =
How can you learn to do that? By getting lots of practice, and knowing “Identities”!
Here is a list of common “Identities” .
It is worth remembering these, as they can make factoring easier.
| a2 b2 |
There are many more like those, but those are the most useful ones.
Also Check: Transferring To Cuny
I Cannot Passed College Algebra Ready To Give Up
I dont get why. I never struggled in high school. No matter what I do I just can not pass this class. This is my third time taking it. I cant do anything if I dont pass. I cant even stay in school. Theyll make me take a break for a year. What am I going to do for a year?? Work? With what experience??
I so sick of people telling me to see a tutor. I HAVE 3 I SEE 1 EVERY DAY AND THE OTHER TWO EVERY OTHER DAY. I go to the math specialist for 2 hours a day. I talk to my professor all the time. I am on medication because I apparently have adhd.
I hate when people ask me what im not getting, how tf am I supposed to know??
I just want to give up. Theres nothing else i want to do besides compsci and software engineering. I took college courses for those in highschool and they were so fun and easy. I can do higher math I just cannot do algebra. I tried my hardest to year out of it. I wouldve been put in calc if my algebra score wasnt so low.
Im just so tired of working so hard and not having anything to show for it.
this is the first class Ive ever failed in my entire life, i just study so much and nothing ever pays off with this class. I even get accomidations for the class feom the school and I still cant do well. I dont know what to do now. Everyone keeps telling me to change my major. Every major requires algebra here. I couldnt change it if i wanted to. Im so tired of struggling so much.
am I going to do for a year?? Work? With what experience??
Algebra Calculator: An App That Can Shape Your Future
Mathematics is regarded as the monster that haunts the dreams of countless students from all around the world. Whether youre in middle school, high school, college, or even starting out with your job, chances are the idea of solving math problems sends shivers down your spine every time.
One field thats particularly known by math students is algebra. The great frustration that this subject spreads is mainly due to the fact that it mixes numbers, letters, and symbols in equations and formulas, thus making them look more complicated than they really are.
If you have some algebra homework that you need to solve, or need to help your kid with a complicated problem or equation, you can use our algebra math calculator, which is an app designed to help students understand their mistakes and get over them through continuous practice.
Also Check: Colleges Terre Haute Indiana
It Will Be Necessary For You To Study
Regardless of whether or not you have a solid foundation in math, it will still be necessary for you to study throughout the semester. The reason that 50% of students fail the class is mainly because they think that they dont need to study outside of class time which is not the case.
However, if you do study throughout the semester you will be much more likely to do well in the class. By studying throughout the semester it will be easier for you to understand what the professor is teaching, you wont have to cram the night before the exams and you will retain the information more effectively
Unit : Factoring Polynomials
This unit expands on what you learned in Unit 3. In Unit 4, you will learn to factor the greatest common factor by grouping and other factoring methods. Because factoring and distribution are opposite actions, you will be able to determine whether you have factored correctly by going in the opposite direction, which is distributing through multiplication.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 19 hours.
Also Check: What Is Berry College Known For
How To Learn College Algebra For Adults Going Back To School
SHANDI STEVENSON
To many adults returning to school, college algebra can seem like one of the most daunting obstacles they face. Some have bad memories of struggling with algebra in high school, while most find that even a short break from regular practice makes their algebra feel rusty. But with the maturity and determination older students bring to their education comes the resourcefulness and commitment that can make success in college algebra surprisingly painless.
Explore this article
Introduction To College Algebra
Choose an upcoming start date:
Enroll by 1pm Central:
Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.
University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
Course level: Undergraduate
This course introduces algebraic concepts providing a solid foundation for college algebra. Topics range from properties of real numbers, the order of operations, and algebraic expressions to solving equations and inequalities. Additional topics include polynomials, factoring methods, rational and radical expressions as well as graphing and functions.
Read Also: How To Get Grammarly For Free As A Student
Think Of Homework As Practice
It can be tempting to get through your homework as quickly as possible, working quickly to answer questions so that you can put it aside and enjoy all the antics youre looking forward to in college. If youre not particularly strong in math, however, you would be doing yourself a favor by putting lots of thought into the work you do outside of class. Practice enough problems so that you feel like you are in command of the material in front of you. And if you still feel a little shaky, you can look up more practice questions online. Sure, no one loves homework, but it is your opportunity to build your strength and understanding.
Dr. Jessica OShaughnessy, Dean of Student Success and Associate Mathematics Professor at Shenandoah University, has learned a lot about the way that students learn and retain information from both in the classroom and at home. My daughter loves to read and sometimes asks me why she does better in English than math. I tell her that she practices reading every day for hours. If she spent nearly as much time on math, it would be her best subject too! She advises her daughter and her students to practice homework as well as similar questions from the book. Questions in the review sections of chapters are most useful, she adds, as they often combine techniques.
In Practice: Chunk Tests/quizzes
When its time for an exam, there are different strategies you can take to work efficiently under a time constraint. After you have studied and visited your professors office hours, you hopefully will have grasped which types of problems you rock at and which ones arent so solid. Skim through your entire exam before starting, as it will give you the opportunity to gauge how much time will be needed for each question. You will also be able to take note of any questions that might be weighed more heavily than others.
You dont need to go through the questions in order, so plan your attack wisely! Give yourself the time to work thoughtfully through more challenging sections so that you arent rushed at the end of the exam period.
College courses are challenging no matter the subject, so these tools are applicable to any subject you might be nervous about. Ultimately, your path to survival is paved by discipline and initiative. Stay on top of your readings, practice regularly and, perhaps most importantly, ask for help! When you become an active student, you will be able to grow and succeed. As Easterns Dr. Ward puts it, The culmination of enrolling in the appropriate first college math course, knowing the course expectations and policies, and addressing your affective characteristics is transitioning you to becoming a self-directed learner Being an independent, self-directed learner is important to your academic success.
You May Like: College Hill Cast Season 1
How Long Should You Study For The Clep College Algebra
The length of time you should study for the CLEP College Algebra test depends on your ability and background. Most students need to spend about 1 to 3 months studying regularly for 1 or 2 hours each day. Remember, theres no substitute for putting in the time to prepare. Its absolutely critical if you want a good score.
It Depends On How Much Math You Have Already Done
How difficult college algebra will be for you will depend largely on how well prepared you are for it.
If you did well in algebra 1 and 2 in high school then you will likely also do well in college algebra provided that you do all of the homework and you make sure to learn the material. Even if you did well in high school, college algebra will still be difficult for you if you do not make sure to keep up with the work throughout the semester.
If you didnt do so well at math in high school then you will likely find college algebra to be more difficult. However, that doesnt mean that you will fail the class. You can make up for being underprepared by following the tips mentioned below.
Also Check: Online College Credits Fast
What Is College Algebra
What is Algebra and why do we need it? Algebra can be defined as the branch of math that uses symbols and letters in lieu of numbers to study a variety of phenomena. Often times these symbols represent a simplification of known or unknown variables and factors involved in a complex algebraic equations or formulas. Algebraic equations and formulas are often used to describe a relationship between these variables. The study of Algebra also involves the rules that dictate how these symbols and letters operate.
Understandably, many of you may have thought you escaped Algebra after graduating high school. Kissing polynomials and inequalities goodbye must have left you overjoyed! The reality for many of you however is that Algebra will continue to be fundamental as you begin your college education – In fact, much of Algebra forms the basis of all math you have learnt up to now! The utility of Algebra is particularly prominent in fields of science, technology, engineering and math . Moving forward and beyond academia, Algebra will continue to be your friend in a process you may know as “growing up”. Use StudyPug and gain more than just great grades in this intro to College Algebra! Learn life skills to improve your financial planning and budgeting, assess risks in your business or investment ventures, and make good decisions regarding healthcare insurance.
Plan The Schedule Out In Advance
In order to make sure that you stay on track throughout the semester it would help to plan out the schedule of the class as soon as you are able to. Normally, on the first day of college algebra, the professor will give you a syllabus detailing when the exams will be, how much weighting the exams will have and when the homework is due. Sometimes the syllabus will also tell you what the homework is as well.
If, on the day that you get the syllabus, you plan out when the tests will be, when the homework will be due and the topics youll be covering it will help you to avoid missing any exams or homework due dates. It will also help you to see in advance when your schedule with your other classes will get tight.
Also Check: What Classes Should I Take Freshman Year Of College
Read The Book Before Trying To Solve The Problems
Often, students will try to solve their homework problems based on what the teacher taught in-class without reading the book.
The problem with this is that some the teacher might skip over parts of the chapter from the book, the questions will be based on the material in the book and you wont understand the material as well as you could.
Instead of jumping straight to the homework problems it would be more effective for you to read the relevant chapter first and then to try to solve the questions from the book after.
How To Learn College Algebra
While there is no one formula per se that you could use to learn College Algebra, we would still like to suggest the following on how to do Algebra, or how to learn algebra using StudyPug:
At StudyPug we have over 1000’s of lessons, each containing several step-by-step examples to provide you with the best College Algebra study guide money can buy! With immediate access to the entire course, learn College Algebra by supplementing your learning of topics already covered in class, learn ahead to gain new skills and practice with more challenging topics, or swing back to refresh your memory and obtain complete coverage of previous topics.
Remember that some of these lessons will build on Algebra content you have previously learnt. A strong grasp of these more basic, core concepts is critical to being successful in College Algebra. Take advantage of your unlimited access to all of StudyPug and do not skip out the essentials! Do not be ashamed if you have forgotten how to solve quadratic equations, how to wrangle radicals, or operate functions. This is a place to learn and we all start somewhere!
Last but not least, what would learning be without any help?! Our StudyPug tutors will always be there for you, ready for all the College Algebra help you may need! Bring your questions, homework, quiz, textbook, syllabus, revision exercises to us, and lets conquer College Algebra together!
Don’t Miss: College Hill Vsu Episodes