Need math help!

[sunshine79]

Hi everyone. :wave

My daughter is having trouble with Saxon Algebra 1/2 and to say that math is my weak subject would be a huge understatement. I am basically useless when it comes to math. This is frustrating for both of us and if anyone can help us, we would be very thankful!

Does anyone know if the formula she used for the following problem is correct? Is the answer correct?

Here's the problem:

7x5-(16-4)2+8

The solution she put:

7x5-(12)2+8
35-(12)2+8
35-24+8
35-32=3

Thanks to anyone that can help!

I wanted to add that if this answer is not correct, please don't tell me the right answer, just how to correct the formula. Hope that makes sense.

[lisa]

That's what I get too.
Remember your "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" and you should be fine.

:thumb

[sunshine79]

Thank you! :wave

Sheryl

[NewWorldOrder]

Have you looked into getting the DIVE cd's for the Saxon Algebra 1/2?

http://www.diveintomath.com/dive_math.aspx

[adam423]

Can you get the teacher's answer key? That would help you alot.

Just wondered too... In this problem, is the 2 supposed to be to the second power? It looks like it should be.

7x5-(16-4)2+8

[The Sower]

classof1.com

one on one tutoring service~they can teach your child online

[NoTomorrow]

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally is a good way to remember the steps. There's a little part about it that confuses a lot of people.

Do everything in parentheses.
Do exponents.
Do multiplication AND Division, working from left to right. (Multiplication and Division are done as one step if that makes sense.)
Do addition and subtraction working from left to right. If subtraction comes first, you do it first.

example: 10 / 2 X 5 is 10 divided by 2 which is 5 then times 5. That equals 25. A lot of people get the incorrect answer of 1.

I use a book called Algebra To Go when I need some help with Algebra. There's also a lot of computer software that you can get that will let you put in your problem and it shows you step by step how to solve it. They work pretty well.

Hope that helps.

[Theresa]

Hi everyone. :wave

My daughter is having trouble with Saxon Algebra 1/2 and to say that math is my weak subject would be a huge understatement. I am basically useless when it comes to math. This is frustrating for both of us and if anyone can help us, we would be very thankful!

Does anyone know if the formula she used for the following problem is correct? Is the answer correct?

Here's the problem:

7x5-(16-4)2+8

The solution she put:

7x5-(12)2+8
35-(12)2+8
35-24+8
35-32=3

Thanks to anyone that can help!

I wanted to add that if this answer is not correct, please don't tell me the right answer, just how to correct the formula. Hope that makes sense.

The answer here is NOT correct. She did well until her last step. When you have 35-24+8, you should work from left to right. Subtract first (35-32) then add 8 to the difference.

[Itiswell]

We tried Saxon 1/2 Algebra last year - I love math and I didn't like it!

Saxon is a great program, until that level. I still use it for my younger children. But once you get to higher math, many folks switch to Harold Jacob's math. The explanations are much better:

http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Algebra-Harold-R-Jacobs/dp/0716710471?tag=dogpile-20

Do you have an answer key for your Saxon math? Unfortunately the answer key is just that, answers, it doesn't show you how to get there.

[MrsBri]

Math isn't my strong subject either. It sounds like you have an answer key, but that the key doesn't show the solution steps. As math gets harder for your daughter, you might want to switch to another program...one that will give you the solution steps instead of just the answers. It's amazing what you remember about math when you see the steps! What grade is your daughter in? I have Alpha Omega lifepac math for 9th grade that I can send to you if you want it. It does show the solution process step by step & I find it much easier to teach.