Understand THIS and you'll get Algebra
So much of the GED/HiSET and other standardized test is about ALGEBRA...the dreaded word. But it's not as difficult as it may seem. You have to think simple. Take the following problem.
It's January and Joe is trying to lose 40 lbs before the summer starts in May. His current weight is 240lbs. He cuts his calories and tracks his weight monthly. If he loses 10 lbs per month, starting in January, will he lose 40 lbs by the beginning of May?
You could simply count the number of months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr) and count the lbs lost...10+10+10+10 = 40 lbs...and conclude yes, he would lose the 40 lbs. What would be his weight at the beginning of March? Well, he starts at 240 lbs and he weighs 240 - 10 = 230 lbs by Feb 1st and 230 - 10 = 220 lbs by March 1st. There ya go.
What if I create an equation to gives me the ability to tell what his weight will be. Assume there are a lot of months -- not just 4. Let X (a variable) = the number of the month..Jan = 1, Feb = 2, Mar = 3, Apr = 4. The equation would be...
Joe's weight at the end of month X = 240 - 10 times x ..so, if X = March = 3..
Joe's weight at the end of month (March) = 240 - 10 times 3 = 240 - 10x3 = 240 - 30 = 210 lbs
So, you just did algebra. It's all about creating simple equations to answer questions. If you didn't have the equation, it would take you longer to answer simple questions, like what's Joe's weight after a certain month.
Ya see...it's not that bad.
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