We go along for years just having to deal with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9. Then all of a sudden we got an X, Y, N and other letters crashing the party.
In its simplest form we are just trying to find something. The something is always a letter which ultimately becomes a number.
Algebra is about relationships. When one number does something to another number it has an affect. Just like if a person does something to another person it has either a positive, negative or neutral outcome.
People that are good at relationships and social settings usually do well in Algebra because they like the journey of how things are connected.
People that are not good in relationships usually do superior in Algebra because they enjoy observing people without actually interacting with them.
When people find a challenge in Algebra it is usually because there is a new concept being introduced.
When you see a set of numbers and letters like X - 6 = 3 that is the new concept. If someone explains to you that this is "just a PUZZLE" then you get it. There are two pieces of the puzzle that we know ( 6 & 3). In order to complete the PUZZLE we have to find X. In this case X is 9 and that completes the PUZZLE. The concept is "WE ARE SOLVING A PUZZLE." Then every time you see one of these you enjoy it if YOU LIKE SOLVING PUZZLES.
What To Watch For ...
If your child is struggling with something in ALGEBRA first find out if the ACTUAL CONCEPT was ever TAUGHT.
All math is learned first and then becomes intuitive over a period of time.
