Here’s a problem that Lyndia sent in, since she was havin’ trouble with it:

3x = 7 – 4x

You wanna figure out what “x” is equal to The problem comes in when you have a number befo’ the x, and need to get all the “x”es on the same side. Think of it this way… you don’t just got one x, you got four x’s. So, you gotta move all 4 x’s to the other side. In other words, think of “4x” as all going together.
continue reading "GED Math: Algebra"

Hey, all. I know fractions is a big problem for the GED. Here’s another problem: word problems! The GED is full of ‘em. That’s cuz the GED wants to know if you can solve problems you might run across in life. I know word problems don’t always seem like real life, but they’re tryin’ to reflect everyday problems, you know. Stuff that might happen to you.
continue reading "GED Math: More Fractions… in Real Life Problems."

Hey, all. Michael’s studyin’ for his GED, an he sent me this question:

am having problem with Lesson-7 page 491 on A. on Add or subtract as Directed reduce to the lowest terms.Am trying to figure out the form to work the fractions. am stuck on this one. Michael

Okay, here’s the rule with adding and subtracting fractions. Let’s start with a problem:

5/12 + 2/5
continue reading "GED Math: Adding and Subtracting Fractions"

Hey, yo. Here’s a comment Jen sent over:

Hi Curtis,

I need some help with percent and ratio word problems. Unfortunately your previous explanations regarding word problems have been too complicated. Perhaps you could give more information on the basics, the formulas? I know I am not completely understanding these formulas. My knowledge in math is only the basic concepts, and I do not understand algebra yet.

While percents seem simple enough; I become lost when I try to solve word problems with them. I have been using the triangle method to work with percent problems. [The method shown in the GED book.]

1- Multiply when the problem gives you the whole and the percent.

2- Divide when the problem gives you the part and the percent.

3- Divide when the problem gives you the whole and the part.

However, I am still finding word problems with percents and ratios very confusing, so I know I am definitely not understanding the formula. Ratios especially – the whole idea of cross multiplying sounds good, but when I do this I become lost as I attempt to finish the problem. I hope you can help me begin to make sense of these areas.

Thanks, Jen
continue reading "GED Math: Percent and Ratio Word Problems"

Yo, all you GED studiers. Zaher wrote me with a good math problem… ’bout distance and speed and time. Take a gander…

Hey Curtis ,

Thanks for your prompt reply man . This is one of the problems I struggled with involving distance :

- A man started walking at 2 mph, while a woman 2 miles behind him began walking at the same time at a rate of 4 mph, and in the same direction. Just then, the man’s dog left him and ran toward the woman. Upon reaching her, it instantly turned around and ran back toward thr man. And so, the dog continued to run back and forth between them, at a constant rate of 5 mph, until the woman finally overtook the man. How far did the dog run?

**** Go enjoy figuring it out and let me know how to do it man !

Zaher

In the GED test, on the page with all the formulas, you got one for distance:

distance = rate x time

So, what’s it mean?
continue reading "GED Math: Distance, Rate, and Time"

Hey guys! I got something about the GED math test that you gotta know. The test’s got mostly multiple choice questions, about 80%. But there’s 20% of the questions that ain’t multiple choice, in those questions, you got two different types. I’m gonna give you the low-down on one of em, the “coordinate plane grid.” You prolly got no idea what dat is. Well, here’s the 411.
continue reading "GED Math: Graphing Points and the Coordinate Plane Grid"

Yeah, I know. Trans-what? GED math test don’t expect you to recognize lots of vocabulary like “transversal,” but you gotta know the ideas, right? It all about ideas. Here we got one of the GED geometry ideas. Geometry… that’s shapes, lines, and angles. Not too hard, cuz you can visualize it, y’know? And, I’m gonna show you somethin’ pretty cool… let’s take a look at what’s called a transversal.
continue reading "GED Math: Transversals"

Hey, GED-studiers… I got some more important GED math to know. I’m talkin’ about probability… or as I say, odds. If you been to Vegas, you know a thing or two about probability… or maybe not, if you came away broke. Probability is how likely somethin’ is to happen.
continue reading "GED Math: Probability"

Selena wrote on the GED Forums:

i am so frustarted i cant seem to pass the ged math ive passed everything else. i feel like im never gonna pass it. i have 500 on every subject and 360 on math.

Hey, all. I know lots of people got this same problem, so I wanted to put up the reply…
continue reading "GED Math: Keep Going"

Yo, everyone…. how’s the GED? I wanted to talk about somethin’ that came up in the GED Forum. Here’s a comment that Rick made:

I am struggling with the math as well. I live in MI and advanced algebra and calculus are required to pass. the thing here is that they make you take pre test before you are allowed to take the real test. And the pre test are unbelievable as well. Determining the height of a sky scraper by the time of day, direction of the sun, and the measurement of it’s shadow??? WTF!
continue reading "Heights of Buildings and Other Hidden Shapes"