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Math was my best subject, so I might not give the best answer for the average person, but to me, they were basically the same thing.
Yes it was harder, but that's because it's the next level and the next level is harder, hit at the same point, it was basically more of the same stuff.
Not like statistics, trigonometry, calculus, etc, which can be something entirely different.
Yes it was harder, but that's because it's the next level and the next level is harder, hit at the same point, it was basically more of the same stuff.
Not like statistics, trigonometry, calculus, etc, which can be something entirely different.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@sstronaut It was about my weakest subject, but I have caught up in some topics in the years since; by using them and seeing them in new, real-world ways.
I know the various topics can be very different themselves - and Euclidean Geometry seems to exist in a world of its own - but most still need algebra to express them, and many are linked in all manner of other ways.
It is that inter-dependency that was my point about algebra; but I'm still puzzled by "pre-algebra" which your question implied is some sort of maths topic or even its own curriculum subject.
I've no idea who invented that term, nor why; but something is either algebra or it's not. If it's arithmetic, why not simply call it arithmetic?
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Incidentally I am not a parent so I don't know what they teach in arithmetic and maths in UK schools now. However, I do know the syllabus differs from the one I knew, and which is still valuable in real life.
Not only that, they baffled parents trying to help their children understand their homework, by introducing some very strange methods for ordinary arithmetic. My local adult-education college even offers courses to help parents understand these mystery new ways! I have not seen these fads, but my brother (who has a son and daughter) says it makes things like long-multiplication very awkward and long-winded.
I know the various topics can be very different themselves - and Euclidean Geometry seems to exist in a world of its own - but most still need algebra to express them, and many are linked in all manner of other ways.
It is that inter-dependency that was my point about algebra; but I'm still puzzled by "pre-algebra" which your question implied is some sort of maths topic or even its own curriculum subject.
I've no idea who invented that term, nor why; but something is either algebra or it's not. If it's arithmetic, why not simply call it arithmetic?
.
Incidentally I am not a parent so I don't know what they teach in arithmetic and maths in UK schools now. However, I do know the syllabus differs from the one I knew, and which is still valuable in real life.
Not only that, they baffled parents trying to help their children understand their homework, by introducing some very strange methods for ordinary arithmetic. My local adult-education college even offers courses to help parents understand these mystery new ways! I have not seen these fads, but my brother (who has a son and daughter) says it makes things like long-multiplication very awkward and long-winded.
@ArishMell Pre-algebra is basic algebra, to make sure you have your math fundamentals down first, and reinforce them, as if you're fundamental aren't down, you're basically screwed going forward.
Because it's about to get more complex, and apparently there were enough people that struggled with straight to algebra, that they decided there needed to be a basic algebra first.
So see it as Basic, Intermediate and Advance
Pre-algebra is Basic
Algebra is intermediate
And I don't know what is advanced, but unless you're in math, physics or engineering field you probably won't have to worry about it.
Because it's about to get more complex, and apparently there were enough people that struggled with straight to algebra, that they decided there needed to be a basic algebra first.
So see it as Basic, Intermediate and Advance
Pre-algebra is Basic
Algebra is intermediate
And I don't know what is advanced, but unless you're in math, physics or engineering field you probably won't have to worry about it.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@sstronaut Ah, I see. Thankyou. I wonder why they didn't simply call it "Basic Algebra", so you do know what it's about.
A problem I found at school was that it seemed all taught as something so abstract. I could not belay it to real things to help me see what it's about.
Once, at work maybe ten years ago now, somebody asked to borrow my computer while I busy with something else. He wanted to refer to a technical paper without having to traipse all the way back to his office. He did that, but when I returned to it I found he'd been distracted into also looking at some paper about some alternative way to solve Someone's Equation. He'd left it open, perhaps as a little joke as he knew I was not a fellow mathematician.
"Advanced Algebra"? This stuff was Pure Algebra so pure I could not recognise most of the operators, and had to look hard to spot those nice friendly '+' and '=' signs! I had no idea what it was about, or what anyone might use it for; or if it was just an academic puzzle at the Highest Levels!
A problem I found at school was that it seemed all taught as something so abstract. I could not belay it to real things to help me see what it's about.
Once, at work maybe ten years ago now, somebody asked to borrow my computer while I busy with something else. He wanted to refer to a technical paper without having to traipse all the way back to his office. He did that, but when I returned to it I found he'd been distracted into also looking at some paper about some alternative way to solve Someone's Equation. He'd left it open, perhaps as a little joke as he knew I was not a fellow mathematician.
"Advanced Algebra"? This stuff was Pure Algebra so pure I could not recognise most of the operators, and had to look hard to spot those nice friendly '+' and '=' signs! I had no idea what it was about, or what anyone might use it for; or if it was just an academic puzzle at the Highest Levels!