5 answers
Livia
Student
Rowlett, Texas
1
Question
Updated
281 views
How do I start re-learning math?
I've struggled with math all my life. I haven't had a proper math class for a while, and I've practically forgotten everything. How do I start re-learning algebra/stats so I can develop the math skills I need for college?
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5 answers
Dima Vizelman
Software Engineer
27
Answers
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District, Israel
Updated
Dima’s Answer
Hi Livia,
Take it easy and don't try to relearn everything at once. Start with the basics of algebra, like fractions, equations, and simple functions, and gradually build up from there. The important thing is to be consistent—spending just 20–30 minutes a day is more helpful than long, irregular sessions.
Try using beginner-friendly resources like Khan Academy or Brilliant. They guide you step by step and offer practice right away. Focus on understanding why things work, not just memorizing steps.
It might feel slow at first, and that's completely normal. Math is like a muscle; it gets stronger with practice.
Hope this helps,
Dima
Take it easy and don't try to relearn everything at once. Start with the basics of algebra, like fractions, equations, and simple functions, and gradually build up from there. The important thing is to be consistent—spending just 20–30 minutes a day is more helpful than long, irregular sessions.
Try using beginner-friendly resources like Khan Academy or Brilliant. They guide you step by step and offer practice right away. Focus on understanding why things work, not just memorizing steps.
It might feel slow at first, and that's completely normal. Math is like a muscle; it gets stronger with practice.
Hope this helps,
Dima
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
258
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Mathematics is a language, a symbolic and logical language. It is different from our natural language, and, hence, it appears to us as an alien one. Many of us have had a difficult time with mathematics. Fortunately, the situation is not insurmountable. What we need is patience and practice, practice, and practice as if it were a natural language we try to get proficiency.
That said, we need to have a good start in the learning of mathematical language. Students often struggle because they advance without a solid foundation. Therefore, you may want to consider going back to prealgebra, and Algebra I, and Algebra II to rebuild your foundation.
Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You need to practice a lot to build a solid foundation in proficiency and competence. Do not rush. It will take time and practice. Once you build a strong foundation, progress becomes easier. Eventually, we will be able to excel in College Algebra, and Statistics.
That said, we need to have a good start in the learning of mathematical language. Students often struggle because they advance without a solid foundation. Therefore, you may want to consider going back to prealgebra, and Algebra I, and Algebra II to rebuild your foundation.
Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You need to practice a lot to build a solid foundation in proficiency and competence. Do not rush. It will take time and practice. Once you build a strong foundation, progress becomes easier. Eventually, we will be able to excel in College Algebra, and Statistics.
Marcelo Schiavo, MBA, PMP
Project Manager
3
Answers
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Updated
Marcelo’s Answer
Hello,
Begin by strengthening your basics instead of diving right into challenging algebra. The quickest way to improve is by identifying any gaps, refreshing your knowledge of arithmetic and pre-algebra, and then gradually moving on to algebra and statistics with plenty of practice problems.
Steps to follow:
Start with a quick test to find out where you need help, especially with fractions, decimals, negatives, exponents, and solving equations. This will help you focus on what you need to learn, saving you time on things you already know.
First, review arithmetic and pre-algebra since algebra relies on a solid understanding of basics like fractions, ratios, and the order of operations.
Then, progress to Algebra 1, followed by Algebra 2, and finally basic statistics. This step-by-step approach is better than trying to learn everything at once.
Practice each topic until you can solve problems without notes. Math skills grow through repetition and correcting mistakes, not just watching explanations.
Study tips:
Focus mostly on solving problems instead of watching videos. Videos can help explain concepts, but solving problems builds skill.
Keep a log of mistakes, noting exactly what went wrong, like sign errors or fraction handling. This helps turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
Study in short, daily sessions rather than long, infrequent ones. Consistency is key to rebuilding your foundation.
If you get stuck, take a step back and ask yourself what you might not fully understand. This usually helps you find the real issue more quickly.
A good starting path:
1. Fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages.
2. Negative numbers, exponents, and order of operations.
3. Linear equations, inequalities, and graphing.
4. Functions, polynomials, factoring, and radicals.
5. Intro to statistics: mean, median, standard deviation, probability, and interpreting graphs.
Simple weekly plan:
- 3 days a week: Spend 30-45 minutes on one topic.
- 1 day a week: Review older topics.
- 1 day a week: Focus on statistics or word problems.
- Always finish with 5-10 practice questions and review any mistakes.
For a smooth start, try using Khan Academy for guidance and Desmos for help with graphs when they seem confusing.
Begin by strengthening your basics instead of diving right into challenging algebra. The quickest way to improve is by identifying any gaps, refreshing your knowledge of arithmetic and pre-algebra, and then gradually moving on to algebra and statistics with plenty of practice problems.
Steps to follow:
Start with a quick test to find out where you need help, especially with fractions, decimals, negatives, exponents, and solving equations. This will help you focus on what you need to learn, saving you time on things you already know.
First, review arithmetic and pre-algebra since algebra relies on a solid understanding of basics like fractions, ratios, and the order of operations.
Then, progress to Algebra 1, followed by Algebra 2, and finally basic statistics. This step-by-step approach is better than trying to learn everything at once.
Practice each topic until you can solve problems without notes. Math skills grow through repetition and correcting mistakes, not just watching explanations.
Study tips:
Focus mostly on solving problems instead of watching videos. Videos can help explain concepts, but solving problems builds skill.
Keep a log of mistakes, noting exactly what went wrong, like sign errors or fraction handling. This helps turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
Study in short, daily sessions rather than long, infrequent ones. Consistency is key to rebuilding your foundation.
If you get stuck, take a step back and ask yourself what you might not fully understand. This usually helps you find the real issue more quickly.
A good starting path:
1. Fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages.
2. Negative numbers, exponents, and order of operations.
3. Linear equations, inequalities, and graphing.
4. Functions, polynomials, factoring, and radicals.
5. Intro to statistics: mean, median, standard deviation, probability, and interpreting graphs.
Simple weekly plan:
- 3 days a week: Spend 30-45 minutes on one topic.
- 1 day a week: Review older topics.
- 1 day a week: Focus on statistics or word problems.
- Always finish with 5-10 practice questions and review any mistakes.
For a smooth start, try using Khan Academy for guidance and Desmos for help with graphs when they seem confusing.
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
192
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I can answer this because I have done it! (And need to do it again!).
First take your time. You may want to know some advanced things but take your time! Find something that relates to your life directly using math (like money for example) and it will seem a little more relevant as you learn it again.
Get high school study guides, like the ones you used to use for extra study or whatever. If you can't afford one of them, look for old textbooks somewhere and start with them. Take some time out of your day and study with them.
Use online resources like khan academy. Sign up (maybe start here and then get a study book) and just try to follow along with the lesson. I haven't been on in a few years so I don't know how much practice problems they provide but try to do everything they provide. Figure out your level: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calc, calc, etc. You don't need to impress anyone so don't worry about the level you start at again. I could not remember long division, I understood decimals, percents, and ratios but was stuck with that as a basic.
Take
Your
Time
You don't need to take a test at the end of the day so don't rush it. Take some time to appreciate how you can use math in the future whether it be just tracking your bank balance or setting yourself up for a technical job in the future. Make numbers up for an equation and just try the problem. There are a bunch of tools out there so you can check your work. I believe you can just type an equation into google and it will solve it for you. Don't use google for the answer, just use it for the check. An LLM can do the same, but ask it to help you solve the equation step by step first, don't trust that it will just solve it correctly.
Use a book pen and paper when studying. Writing is thinking and is going to help you not only list out steps but help visualize the answer. Do kahn academy (udemy, edX, whatever) as a way to see how it is done. Use an LLM only when you are stuck. The amount of time should be 60% paper, 30% khan academy, 10% LLM (see I told you I remembered percents!). This is a good basic template for self learning in general. Also don't be afraid to get a tutor.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=used+math+textbooks&_sacat=0&_from=R40&rt=nc&_udhi=15
https://www.khanacademy.org/math
First take your time. You may want to know some advanced things but take your time! Find something that relates to your life directly using math (like money for example) and it will seem a little more relevant as you learn it again.
Get high school study guides, like the ones you used to use for extra study or whatever. If you can't afford one of them, look for old textbooks somewhere and start with them. Take some time out of your day and study with them.
Use online resources like khan academy. Sign up (maybe start here and then get a study book) and just try to follow along with the lesson. I haven't been on in a few years so I don't know how much practice problems they provide but try to do everything they provide. Figure out your level: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calc, calc, etc. You don't need to impress anyone so don't worry about the level you start at again. I could not remember long division, I understood decimals, percents, and ratios but was stuck with that as a basic.
Take
Your
Time
You don't need to take a test at the end of the day so don't rush it. Take some time to appreciate how you can use math in the future whether it be just tracking your bank balance or setting yourself up for a technical job in the future. Make numbers up for an equation and just try the problem. There are a bunch of tools out there so you can check your work. I believe you can just type an equation into google and it will solve it for you. Don't use google for the answer, just use it for the check. An LLM can do the same, but ask it to help you solve the equation step by step first, don't trust that it will just solve it correctly.
Use a book pen and paper when studying. Writing is thinking and is going to help you not only list out steps but help visualize the answer. Do kahn academy (udemy, edX, whatever) as a way to see how it is done. Use an LLM only when you are stuck. The amount of time should be 60% paper, 30% khan academy, 10% LLM (see I told you I remembered percents!). This is a good basic template for self learning in general. Also don't be afraid to get a tutor.
Liam recommends the following next steps:
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
138
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Livia,
The best way to re-learn math is to start from the basics and practice consistently. Begin with foundational topics like algebra and gradually move forward instead of trying to learn everything at once. Daily practice, even for 20–30 minutes, can make a big difference.
You can use free learning platforms like Khan Academy or Coursera, which explain concepts step by step and provide practice problems to help rebuild your confidence.
The best way to re-learn math is to start from the basics and practice consistently. Begin with foundational topics like algebra and gradually move forward instead of trying to learn everything at once. Daily practice, even for 20–30 minutes, can make a big difference.
You can use free learning platforms like Khan Academy or Coursera, which explain concepts step by step and provide practice problems to help rebuild your confidence.