Studying maths!!!!

20 Oct 2004

Well, I've just confirmed my registration for level 1 of a maths degree with the Open University :shock:
The course doesn't start till January (I think) but I was wondering if anyone else was with the OU, and even better if anyone else was doing a maths degree? I'm all panicky now because I have no understanding at all of one of the entry requirements and am worried I'm just going to end up feeling even stupider (is that a word?) than before I started.
So if anyone has a simplified way of explaining functions such as quadratic, exponential and sinusoidal, and their graphs.... please could they let me know as I know I didn't study these at GCSE and I never did any A levels,
Helen (diving in with both feet) biggrin

20 Oct 2004

i only have maths upto slightly above A-level standard.. but if you need any help once you start.. i should be able to help with at least the first year work hun.
good luck
x x

20 Oct 2004

Oh jsez, I hope my baby boy Dean doesn't see this confused

20 Oct 2004

Part of my degree is to be able to teach maths to KS3 level.
So, I am of no use to you really. I did get an A at GSCE, but that won't count for much soon, cos theyre phasing them out!
How about;
Quad is latin for 4 so a quadratic equation has somehting to do with foursomes??? dunno

Exp and sin are calculator functions which you could use to work out how many people you want to snog at the next munch! :dunno:
Graphs, you could use to plot your success rate at the above! :dunno:
Shall I fetch my coat now or later? lol

(tm warwick)

20 Oct 2004

I have O-level Maths, and use some maths with work (if you can call it that rolleyes

)but know bugger all about the theory, so can't help you with all those big words.... but the OU have a good reputation for their teaching skills, so you should be fine!
lol

:lol: :lol:

20 Oct 2004

Quote by xxdevil69
So if anyone has a simplified way of explaining functions such as quadratic, exponential and sinusoidal

I cant explain it but I can recommend Mucron as a good remedy for sinusoidall....!! wink

Dxxx

20 Oct 2004

I've done a-level maths and used it at work but I'm currently studying humanities.
But if you get stuck I may have an incite but I understand from a friend who did an OU degree in computing that the support is good if you use it.
Good Luck and Have fun

20 Oct 2004

Maths i hate it, thick as 2 short planks when it comes to maths. Our 7 year old daughter has got some maths homework to do during the holidays, buggered if we can work it out told her to ask her grandad
F

20 Oct 2004

Quote by nealfiona
Maths i hate it, thick as 2 short planks when it comes to maths. Our 7 year old daughter has got some maths homework to do during the holidays, buggered if we can work it out told her to ask her grandad
F

You may post all your maths questions here now, as Devil needs the practice. lol

:lol:

20 Oct 2004

Better not post your maths questions here if they involve equations and other complicated things... Libra Love's son might get too excited and we shouldn't be encouraging the under 18's on to this site lol

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

20 Oct 2004

owwwww!!
xxdevil69 i just tried to find you some useful links. they made my 'ead 'urt. i'm off for a lie down now!
best of luck!
n x x x ;P

20 Oct 2004

Thanx for trying though Neil....
come on brain boxes!!! So far WBB is at the top of my list to ask for help.. but don't want to interrupt her sex life too much :twisted: so need more of you to offer your (mathematical) services!!!!

20 Oct 2004

Quote by bluexxx
Better not post your maths questions here if they involve equations and other complicated things... Libra Love's son might get too excited and we shouldn't be encouraging the under 18's on to this site :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey Blue, if the scrunched up tissues under his mattress are anything to go by your warning comes too late rolleyes

God he's gonna kill me

20 Oct 2004

Quote by xxdevil69
So if anyone has a simplified way of explaining functions such as quadratic, exponential and sinusoidal, and their graphs.... please could they let me know as I know I didn't study these at GCSE and I never did any A levels,

I should know this stuff, because I got an 'A' in A-Level Maths and was awarded the school's Maths Prize when I left... unfortunately, I don't. I wrote everything I needed to know in a little blue exercise book but I can't remember what happened to it when I moved house. sad

This may be a daft question, but I'm curious... why do you want to do a Maths degree?

20 Oct 2004

Because I was doing psychology but there's too many 'grey' areas.... I love working with numbers (the more in my bed the better :twisted: ) And, sadly, maths was my favourite subject at school and I was also very good at it. The reason I'm doing Maths as a general degree is because I haven't yet decided exactly what I want to be if and when I ever grow up, but all the options I am interested in involve maths in some way so can branch off in any direction afterwards. biggrin

20 Oct 2004

Try there is a section on there for quadratic equation solution and you will probably find everything else you need aswell.
As with everything there is a couple of pop ups so decide to view for yourself.

20 Oct 2004

Although written for engineers, this is the best book on improving your maths skills I've used. It starts at post GCSE level and goes through to the end of IEng Year 1 (not far shy of graduate level maths) and without it there's no way I would have turned *not saying redface

* at A-level into a 2:1 in difficult sums (Elec Eng). The index is on the website:

I'm not certain I still have my copy, but I'll have a hunt round and let you know. If I do you can have it for P&P smile

20 Oct 2004

That would be a massive help biggrin

Thankyou

20 Oct 2004

Why not post some probs on here and see who can do them, I'm sure there will be people who use all different sorts of maths in their jobs and will be able to help you at different times with different types of scenarios. I'm average at maths but would endevour to help if it was in a field i was comfortable in - as opposed to being in a comfortable field!
Mrs RSAB2 xxx :angel:

20 Oct 2004

Maths is not only a beatiful and exiting subject but one which underpins many other branches of learning.... (First Year Linear Algebra Textbook)
I have a degree in maths so if you need any help for the love of god dont ask me cause I cant remember a thing too much stella at uni not enough brains cells left to retain information.
My advice is to put in the time in exercices and steer well clear of numerical analysis and galois theory.
Chris

20 Oct 2004

lol... I can feel my brain slowly shrivelling away at the mere thought of attempting this.. but will definately post the problems i have ...er... problems with redface

on here...
Right people you've got 3 months to get prepared for them all!!!!!! lol

I'll either find it all really helpful or the threads will die faster than the 'fancy a shag' ones!!

20 Oct 2004

Quote by xxdevil69
lol... I can feel my brain slowly shrivelling away at the mere thought of attempting this.. but will definately post the problems i have ...er... problems with on here...
Right people you've got 3 months to get prepared for them all!!!!!!
I'll either find it all really helpful or the threads will die faster than the 'fancy a shag' ones!!

OU is geared up for people who have no educational background, starting with a foundation course is the best thing to do if your rusty.
The most important thing I found when I did my initial introduction to maths was the very basic ability to transpose equations.
So if you want to get yourself prepared over the next three months work on these.
(just about to start my post grad with OU rolleyes

)