Yes, it's true, you do need to pass your math class to graduate
from high school. The first level of math you'll need to know is
algebra—don't worry, math subjects are all named scarily just to
strike terror into the hearts of unsuspecting students. It's
really not as hard as it seems.
Need proof?
Just check out how to solve an equation.
An equation has two "sides," separated by the equal sign. The
key in algebra is to remember that whatever you do to one side of
an equation, you must do to the other. Think of an equation as a
scale—as long as you treat both sides equally, you'll maintain
the balance.
Solving an equation involves a process of inverting. The
object is to get rid of all numbers on one side of the equation
until only the variable remains. The lone number on the other
side of the equation will be the answer—the number that would
replace the variable in the equation.
How do you do this?
Inverting is accomplished by eliminating numbers on one side of
an equation by performing the "opposite" operation to both sides
of the equation. This "undoes" the operation. If a number is
added to a variable, subtract it from both sides. If a number is
subtracted from a variable, add it to both sides. If it is
multiplied by the variable, divide it, and if it is divided,
multiply it.
Example:
2 - 7 - 5b = 11 - b
To isolate the variable, move every term with b in it
to one side, and every term with only numbers to the other.
2 - 2 - 7 + 7 - 5b + b = 11 - b + b
- 2 + 7
-5b + b = 11 - 2 + 7
-4b = 16
-4b / -4 = 16 / -4
b = -4
Understand? Great! It's just a short jump from here to solving
quadratic equations like a pro.
Now you try it...
