Algebra is a subject I almost understand. In high school, I took Pre-Algebra and then Algebra I (Basic Algebra). I got through those classes okay. Then, after Geometry, I took Algebra II. That's when the problems began. My thinking process halted when I got up to chapter 7: quadratic equations. When I look at these math problems, I interpret them to be a bunch of meaningless numbers and symbols. After the first semester, I dropped the class and ended up with a D-. That pretty much ruined my chances of getting into the top universities in the nation. That and my SAT scores.

Now, 21 years later, I am making my second attempt to pass the intermediate level of algebra. I am trying to stay focused. I am doing my homework on a regular basis, and I am understanding half of the problems so far. So far so good. But this is just the first week of school, so I am worried. We are basically reviewing mathematical concepts that I was supposed to remember from high school. I really need to review.

I feel like my knowledge of mathematics is at the 7th grade level. I still don't know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. I don't even have my times tables memorized up to the number 12! In elementary school, I detested math so much that I never took the time to learn my times tables. That's why I carry a calculator to school with me (What's 8x9? I don't know. I'll ask my calculator).Yet every 13 year old in America is expected to know how to do this stuff: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, etc. I need to check out a book of basic math concepts from the public library and read it. 'Cause if I can't memorize the rules of basic math, I'll flunk this class. That's my theorem.