I'm coming to a point in college where I can't avoid my math classes any longer. I need to get better at algebra so I don't flunk out of the class when I take it, however I've never been able to get good at doing it without taking forever on one problem. The main problem I always seem to have is just memorizing the rules for various things such as inequalities. Does anyone know of any good methods to learn and get better at remembering the rules of these equations without having to do hundreds of questions a night. Please note that I know homework will involve doing hundreds of problems a night, and I can deal with that, however my main issue is that I want to at least get to a point over the summer so that I can get good enough to not take ten minutes on one question while not taking all day for multiple days a week doing math questions.
Also, if anyone can provide me with ideas that involve computer programming in the process, that would make it more fun for me, as I do enjoy computer programming, and it would make learning how to do the equations more fun.
Thanks, Flyboy
A certain amount of repetition is necessary for proficiency. It seems to me that it is better to have a good understanding of how to solve a few problems of a given type rather than to mindlessly solve billions and billions of problems. By this I mean: How does each step in the solution help you get closer to a solution for the problem? Is there a reason the steps are done in this order or could they be done in some other order?
It does not matter so much how long the first problem of a given type take. This supposes we are talking about minutes, not years. What matters is that once you start on a new type of problem you have the means to get proficient in a reasonable length of time.