Question

Hello. I am a first year pure mathematics student. I had a very crappy highschool math education though, so I have a lot of trouble doing it. (I probably would have a lot of trouble anyway, but now it is just extremely frustrating at times)

Proofing is something that I've become better at, by just not reading the proofs whenever a theorem is stated and try to figure out my own.

However, we also have to do practical exercises. It seems what I have trouble with most, is manipulating algebraic expressions. I can do the stuff most people get taught in highschool, but not advanced problems

Answer 1

(cont)
Which seems to be a necessity in my studies, and they assume that you're already an expert at manipulating equations. So it's definitely something I need to catch up on.

My question is, how/where can I learn to do that kind of (advanced) practical algebra?

Answer 2

Is there a question ?

Answer 3

What are the problems you have to solve?

Answer 4

There is a limit on number of characters here so I had to break it up in parts

Answer 5

Oh, I get it. I don't know what to tell. you. I thought you had a question about proofs and I'm pretty good at those, sorry (:

Answer 6

Practice. Go to online websites and solve algebraic equations of all kinds. If you want to improve yourself, this will require self-motivation. Personally I was forced to do thousands of math problems the last three years of my life in Asia. I won't say my algebra is perfect, but I can say I've improved a huge amount. Keep on practicing; if you want a long term thing to practice, you can try reading over the proofs of cardano's solution of the cubic and then ferrari's solution of the quartic. I can talk with you on a twiddla session if you feel like it about those topics :).

Answer 7

I have looked into websites such as Khan Academy and other sites, but they are too basic. I can't find any good site.

Answer 8

Well, why don't you talk with me in twiddla and I'll see what I can do o.o

I've pmed you the link...

Answer 9

Is this for abstract algebra? Are you doing like modulo numbers

You should be (somewhat) happy that you can at least do the proofs. That is the part most people have trouble with (including me! lol)

Answer 10

Why don't you post an example of one of the problems you are referring to that requires this advanced mathematical manipulation.

Answer 11

Yeah, we're all getting rather curious by now... ;)

Answer 12

haha, well inkyvoid is helping me. I said advanced but I guess it's not really advanced. I just meant not your everyday quadratic expression stuff.

Answer 13

Also, I don't have abstract algebra yet. I was referring to real analysis