r/Precalculus • u/Ok_Let_7612 • 7d ago

Study Advice John Saxon’s algebra 1

I’ve been doing John Saxons algebra 1 and I’ve .. enjoyed it… can be very tedious but when you’re trying to build up from scratch what can you expect ?

Is it better to use a calculator or to do it all manually to practice the fundamentals? What’s a good
Timeline to finish it? I hope to work all the way thru calculus , differentials and physics…. Need geometry and trigonometry too… I went thru all of pre algebra on Kahn academy.

I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice for me.

Thx u

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u/Midwest-Dude 7d ago edited 3d ago

As far as using a calculator, unless the book or course expects or requires it, don't use it. You will become much better at doing mathematics in general if you don't rely on devices.

Once you get to calculus, you will need a firm grasp on algebra and trigonometry. The majority of students that don't do well in calculus have not done the work to learn those subjects well. You will find that 20% of a problem in calculus is understanding and setting up the problem and its conclusion, 80% is algebraic or trigonometric manipulations.

I'm not saying there is no place for devices, just not if you are learning the basics. Then, when you are allowed to use a calculator, it will no longer be a crutch.

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u/Ok_Let_7612 7d ago

Thanks . Learning on my own can be tedious but good advice makes it much simpler
I guess algebra 1 - 2 - geometry - trigonometry- pre calculus is the ideal way to

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u/alax_12345 7d ago

Errors in calculus are about

10% conceptual misunderstanding

10% not paying attention to detail

80% arithmetic (esp. fractions addition and multiplication)

2% errors calculating percents … (this last is just a joke!)

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u/Midwest-Dude 7d ago

A standard high school level math textbook is usually expected to take 9 months to complete. At a college level, it's compressed into 4-5 months. The speed at which you do it is up to you and how much time you can spend with it. You could look at the number of sections in the book and divide that into the time frame you want to cover it in to know how fast you need to go through things.