what is the best way to introduce algebra to a person who has never been able to learn it before?
143759
Algebra is really a big subject. Maple or Mathematica may help. Especially graphs. They are easy and useful.\nI do have 2 examples of story problems which may help.\nSay you are to feed 16 animals each get the same biscuits, the dogs get 2 the cats get 1. You are given 25 biscuits. How many dogs,how many cats are there? \nYou realize all 16 get one so hand out 16. Now the cats have been fed and the remaining 9 biscuits must be for the dogs.\nIf Sally can make 3 salads in 1 hour and Mark can make 2. How long to make 1 salad if they work together?\nThink of cars and miles per hour. Sally's speed is 3/hr and Mark's 2/hr. The sum is 5/hour. Now you need hour/salad so invert. 1/5 of an hour to make one salad.
396545
http://www.math.com/ or http://www.gomath.com/algebra.html are good places to start.
57352
http://www.math.com/homeworkhelp/Algebra.html\n\nhttp://www.mathsisfun.com/number_algebra.html\n\nhttp://mathforum.org/library/drmath/sets/high_alg_toc.html\n\nhttp://www.tellmehowto.net/answers/maths.html\n\nTheres a couple, First two are aimed more towards algebra; Hope you find what you need!
610160
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/beg_algebra/\n\nhttp://www.math.armstrong.edu/MathTutorial/
1173829
Algebra, by Gelfand and Shen\n\nis textbook I taught myself algebra from in 3rd grade.  It's clear, concise, and elegant.
856605
Your ultimate goal of solving algebraic equations is to isolate variables on one side (which are the letters, symbols, greek letters, etc.), and the numbers on the other side.\n\nFor instance:\n2n+12=5n\nYou want to get the 'n's on one side, so you would substract 2n from each side\n\n2n + 12 = 5\n-2n             -2n\n          12 = 3n\n\nThen you want to find what the variable is, since the variable is connected to a number (this is called the coefficient) by multiplication, you would isolate this number, by the opposite of multiplying, which is dividing.\n\nRemember to divide BOTH sides.\n\n12  =  3n\n----      ----\n 3         3\n\n4 = n\n\nAnd your answer is n=4.\n____________________\n\nSome problems will involve additional steps to inorder to isolate the variable.\n4(x-5)+2=x+3 \n\nUsing the distributive propery, distribute 4 to each term in the parentheses (x and -5). So it should look like this:\n4x - 4(5) + 2 = x + 3\n\nMultiply 4(5)\n\n4x - 20 + 2 = x + 3\n\nCombine -20 + 2\n\n4x - 18 = x + 3\n\n**You have just simplified the left side (multiply and add what ever you are able to.)\n\nIsolate the variable by subtracting an x on both sides.\n\n4x - 18 = x + 3\n-x           -x\n3x - 18 = 3\n\nIsolate the number by adding 18 to both sides.\n\n3x - 18 = 3\n     +18     +18\n3x = 21\n\nDivide\n\n3x =21\n---   ----\n3      3\n\nx = 7\n\nDo the same for this one:\n4(y-2/4)=9(y+1/3) \n\nDistribute    4y - 4(2/4) = 9(y) + 9(1/3)\nSimplify       4y - 2 = 9y + 3\nIsolate Variables:\n4y - 2 = 9y + 3\n-4y        -4y\n     -2 = 5y + 3\nIsolate Numbers:\n-2 = 5y +3\n-3           -3\n-5  = 5y\nDivide:\n-5 = 5y\n---    ---\n5      5\n-1 =y\n\nGood luck, try http://www.regentsprep.org/ and click on Math A if you need more help!\n\nhttp://www.mathematicshelpcentral.com/ may also help you!
456792
www.algebra-online.com\nwww.sosmath.com/algebra/algebra.html\nmathworld.wolfram.com/topics/Algebra.html\nmathforum.org/algpow\nhttp://education.yahoo.com/homework_help/math_help/chapter_list?id=minialg1gt\nwww.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra\nmath.about.com/od/collegealgebra\n\nGOOD LUCK!! :) Happy studying!
520168
Try this:\n\nhttp://www.algebra.com/
88080
there is one you can use for A LITTLE BIT of math/algebra. it's www.algebrasolutions.com
164633
I know you're probably feeling overwhelmed with algebra, but the best thing you can do is to spend some time with an online ALGEBRA tutorial.  The really good tutorials go through every single step to get to a solution, which will review the prealgebra concepts that might be rusty for you.  I'd recommend something that has a brief lesson format, with examples, then some practice problems to make sure you're doing it correctly.\n\nI teach algebra, and these are a few of my favorites.  If my kids can't understand it the way I'm saying it, I'll check these sites to be able to explain a concept in a different way:\n\nhttp://www.PurpleMath.com is probably the best Algebra site out there.  \nMath Courses Online has some demo lessons at http://www.mathcourses.com/demos.html\nMath.com's pre-algebra section http://www.math.com/homeworkhelp/PreAlgebra.html has Examples, lessons and practice problems\n\nThe previous answerer mentioned Dr. Math which is also a favorite of mine.
786259
You won't understand why you need to learn most of this "math crap" until you get to college algebra--or more like calculus.\n\nIn the mean time, it may not seem like you'll ever use this "crap", and maybe you never will, but at least it's helping you learn how to think logically.
978070
Try\n\nhttp://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/index.htm\n\nYou can also try http://www.helpalgebra.com\n\nGoodLuck!
535880
How old? Teach addition properly. Specially addition of same numbers repeatedly. It would make him understand multiplication. Give him sticks(match box, ear buds, tooth picks) and ask to give equally to friends, parents etc. Let the concept come in his own way. You are just to help not to stress. With thread/rubber band you may make 'tens' bundle with tying 10 sticks together. And show how 1 n 1 makes 11. Just some confusion is to be cleared. I think 1 week is enough. Be patient have patience.
620299
programs that do algebra are not that common.\nI know two names: Maple and Mathematica. \n\nHowever learning to use them might be harder than learning high-school math.
999333
There are several simple rules for re-arranging and solving equations.  It would be in your best interest to try and learn them, they aren't very hard.
966804
I completely understand! I have high schoolers, and have to nearly re-learn to help them!\n\nYahoo education has help with algebra;\nhttp://education.yahoo.com/homework_help/math_help/chapter_list?id=minialg1gt \n\nSo does math.com:\nhttp://www.math.com/homeworkhelp/Algebra.html \n\nPhysics help:\nhttp://www.physics247.com/ \n\nGood luck to you!
527062
take math and learn formula's first