Suggestions for *me* on where to start to imporve my mathmatical skills. Lets just say this I don’t have any mathmatical skills. I never took the first level of Algerbra in high school and I don’t even remeber how to do fractions.
So what books/resources would take me to the first grade and up to the Algerbric level?
Schaum's
The Schaum’s books are great, so I totally agree with Victoria. My last Intermediate Algebra instructor actually told me to buy the Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra Schaum’s outlines to study over during the summer. They are really great books to use in order to sharpen your skills, because they are geared towards folks who are self motivated learners. What is neat about those book is that they can help you be able to follow a course lecture when you go back to University.I know that the Elementary Algebra one goes over some basic math. Also, for basic math, you can look into web sites for younger folks. I recommend anything for homeschoolers. There is no shame in that at all, because we all have to start someplace!
Re: lacking math skills!
I completely forgot about Schaum’s outlines! They are great and that’s what finally got me through first year calculus and I ended up with an engineering degree.
Re: lacking math skills!
I just ordered two great Math books from Amazon.com for similar reasons.
These books are for both beginners and refreshers for people who have forgotten over the years.
They are:
All the Math You’ll Ever Need : A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) [Paperback] By: Steve Slavin
Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition [Paperback]
By: Peter H. Selby, Steve Slavin
I collect old books at used book stores. I have one from the 1940’s or 1950’s, a teach-yourself math book aimed at adults, with answer key. Another excellent resource is Schaum’s publishing, which has math books at all levels, from review of basic math through algebra and up to advanced university math; the Schaum’s books are excellent teach-yourslef manuals with model problem solutions and lots of practice including answr keys.
A very important rule given to me by a math professor: Math is *not* a spectator sport. You have to get in there and DO it. Self-teaching books are a great help, but you should also work with a good tutor who will guide you and will answer your questions on the difficult spots.