Solving Algebraic Equations

Life lessons learned from math… not.  Well, it does make me question.  On the one hand, many people out there believe math is difficult.  The truth is, it’s not.  We think may be true because we will often “memorize” a zillion math facts and fail to put them together.  The trick to math is grouping the ideas together so that you can reconstruct the question into something that looks familiar.  For example, solving algebraic equations in high school mathematics is somewhat straightforward if you know the rules and how to use them.  If implemented correctly, you will always come out with an answer (well… most times, but that’s not the point).  The method to solve algebraic equations is universally understood by everyone from around the world.  There may be some minor differences, but generally it’s the same.  Procedurally, the same steps are used over and over again.  The trick is to identify the nature of the problem and set out with a strategy with your pocket full of rules to solve the equation (i.e. isolate for x).  Once fluency, solving rational equations or quadratic equations is a small step forward from solving linear equations.  In the end, calculus and finding derivatives is easy-peasy.  So, what’s the lesson?  Life is not as straightforward.  There are rules, but not necessary understood by everyone.  Not everyone lives by the same rules or believe that the rules actually work.  Some of us may not even know all of the rules.  That gets even more frustrating.  As a result, a finite solution like x = 3 is not easy to find.  Whenever you think that math is hard, think about “What do you want to do with your life?” or “How can we achieve world peace?” or something else BIG that seems impossible to solve.  Considering these questions will make you want to do math… for fun.  Consider this… The best thing about math is, most times there’s an answer to the problem.  Sometimes, there’s “no solution” and that’s OK.