How much algebra do I need for statistics? (school, best, program)
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I've been going back and forth the last 5 years about going back to school. It would take me 2 years to get the certificate I want to get. Wish I'd just done it back then and I'd be done, but I didn't. Have to take a statistics class as a prerequiste for the program I want to finish. Since my last math class was 30 years ago (college algebra - I got an A in the class according to my transcript but I don't remember a thing about it), I thought I should retake college algebra to refresh my memory before taking statistics (college algebra is a prerequisite for statistics). About the second week in college algebra I realized I was in way over my head and I dropped the course. I was lost. And I was surprised that I was so stupid. Math was never my best subject, but I obviously was able 30 years ago to get through the class with an A. I got 100% on the first assignment and then the second was properties and radicals and even going over and over the online explanations of how to work out the problems I just didn't understand it.
Since I've already taken college algebra the school actually would let me enroll directly in statistics but I'm afraid I'd be in over my head, although I have heard people say you don't even use algebra in statistics and that statistics is much easier than algebra. I feel like I have no foundation at all in math anymore, though. I can add, subtract and divide.
I'm wondering if I should start at the very lowest math class and work my way, or start with elementary algebra, or intermediate algebra? Or if I should just take the statistics class and hope for the best? Or give up my idea of going back to school (I make decent money already, have my own business - for 19 years - but with techology advancing there is a chance the need for my business will be phased out in the not too distant future; have not been able to raise my prices all these years and now have even had to lower prices). I go back and forth with this, thinking if I just paid off all my debt (about $170,000 total, including house), then even if the industry/my business failed it would be okay because I wouldn't have to make a lot of money to get by. But then if it failed and I was had the certificate and was able to move into a different, but related, job, I would have the potential to make more money. But I'm 54 now and not getting any younger.
Statistics requires little to no algebra. The math itself is very simple. It's the concepts that can be difficult to grasp, but it's doable. It's a different ball game compared to college algebra. I say go straight for the statistics. Just study hard and you'll do fine.
I didn't use much algebra in my statistics class either. Like the previous poster said, the math itself is simple. Basic division and multiplication, mostly.
It's remembering the specific concepts applicable to each problem that can be challenging. Not impossible though - never impossible. You just need to study.
Very little algebra is used in Statistics. Most you need is to understanding of linear relations such as regression line analysis, but computers do that work either for you.
Very little algebra is used in Statistics. Most you need is to understanding of linear relations such as regression line analysis, but computers do that work either for you.
Unless you're an undergraduate, then the professor expects you to do it yourself. I say you need basic algebra enough to solve for unknowns. I don't remember there being any complicated stuff like exponents or anything, though. But yeah, statistics is hard.
I took statistics in grad school and I did well, even though I am definitely not a math person. What helped for me was being in a study group. Our professor gave us homework for every class. If yours is the same, make sure that you do it and understand it well enough to explain it to the rest of the class.
Depends on the level stats class your taking. Beyond 101, the formulas do get pretty sophisticated with the math if the computer isn't doing all of the work. Some professors require that you do it by hand, others prefer that you just know how to work the software and some prefer to know that you can do both. It isn't as easy as simple arithmetic though.
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I say you need basic algebra enough to solve for unknowns. I don't remember there being any complicated stuff like exponents or anything, though. But yeah, statistics is hard.
