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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to say I'm just too stupid to do this darn maths test?

69 replies

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 15:00

I'm just too stupid and I can't do maths! I'm doing a diploma level 3 in care and I've passed the English easy Peasy then I went on a short maternity break to have my now 5 month daughter. Now I need to get through the maths I can't revise as my daughter doesn't sleep and what's worse is I have no clue on the questions! Volume, fractions , algebra ! I just am never gonna do it . Aibu thinking that it's impossible? Others from my group have done it but got hours and hours of one to one help but I have my 5mo who is exclusively breastfed and I have no one to leave her with and if I take her with me I still won't be able to concentrate on crap I don't no anything about anyway!

OP posts:

Catchingmockingbirds · 04/01/2013 15:01

Yabu, maths is bloody hard!

Ephiny · 04/01/2013 15:07

Maths is not inherently hard (and that's an unhelpful attitude IMO) but things like algebra can be difficult to grasp unless they're taught and explained well.

I'm not familiar with this diploma, but are you going to college classes? Do you have a tutor you can ask for help if there are aspects you don't 'get'?

Crinkle77 · 04/01/2013 15:08

You need to stop being so negative firstly. If you have the attitude that you can't do maths then you won't be able to do it. It's almost a self fulfilling prophecy. Can you get any books from the library or guidance from the internet to help or do you have any family or friends that know a thing or two about maths? I would also go and see your tutor and explain that you are struggling. The more you bury your head in the sand the worse it's going to get.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 04/01/2013 15:12

How about trying some online resources like this
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/algebra/

You could start at the pre-gcse level if you need to build up your confidence.

I'm sure others will have some other suggestions

I've heard good things about the Khan Academy as well
www.khanacademy.org/

Alwaysasking · 04/01/2013 15:13

I totally sympathise! I have just hired a maths tutor to try and get me through a maths test I need to pass within a month to get onto a teacher training course. I have a GCSE C in the subject, teaching primary but will be expected to answer mental arithmetic questions in 18 seconds which I'm finding not long enough.

Could you get an online tutor? I use Skype for convenience.

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 04/01/2013 15:14

I have a Maths A Level and I wouldn't have been able to do algebra when my DD was 5 mo and not sleeping . Relax. Try Chaz's suggestions. Khan Academy is great.

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 15:29

Yes I have a tutor but she never answers her bloody phone :( and where do I put my baby when I need help ? She can help me but I have to go to the office for 2 hour sessions and I have no childcare :( and I really hate leaving her as she is breastfed . I told them when I was 20 weeks pregnant and they did nothing to help speed me along and now I'm stuck , I'm sleep deprived I also have A 5 and 7 year old and I'm working part time in the evening when my partner is home and I'm nearly crying inch with frustration beacause I just can't concentrate I don't get 2 minutes to myself :( even writing this I have a baby chewing on my leg and my 5 yr old arguing with her sister

OP posts:

Startail · 04/01/2013 15:34

Sounds like L5 possibly L6 maths top end of primary bottom of KS3 nothing to stress about.

Get yourself to the BBC bite sizes and practice. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to start by working through the easier stuff and building up to the level you.

Don't be afraid to count on your fingers, scribble workings on bits of paper, count lego bricks or whatever helps you.

Go to WHSmiths and look at revision books. Maths isn't scary, but it's often badly taught with teachers not realising pupils have missed a stage and are lost.

Good luck

Alwaysasking · 04/01/2013 15:34

I'd get a new tutor and maybe try skype, or getting the tutor to come to your house. Do you have a OH/family/friend who could come to your house and watch kids for an hour whilst you're being tutored? I know it's hard with kids, my ds loves to interrupt me when I'm on phone/skype so wait until he's in bed.

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 15:36

Btw always thinking I got an F ! Gcse in maths :(

OP posts:

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/01/2013 15:38

Get a new tutor!

My mum tutors maths and she wouldn't act like that, nor would she let you feel you couldn't do it.

It sounds as if you're finding it really hard to concentrate with the baby (no wonder!), but I am sure you can do it.

Is it that you're not finding it easy to understand what you're meant to do, or that you just haven't got enough time to practice and get confident, do you think?

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 15:50

LRD it's both , I haven't done maths for 12 years, I also haven't got a clue it's like really hard stuff , some I can do . Can't swap tutor my work is paying for the course ......

OP posts:

mummytime · 04/01/2013 16:02

Get a private Maths tutor, not just the one from college, a couple of one hour sessions should help. I would also investigate doing a GCSE in Maths, contact Learning Direct for more help.

MamaChocoholic · 04/01/2013 16:03

Well you're finding time to MN, so you can find time for bitesize. If your dd is anything like my dc, she will wake for bf in the night. Can you do some studying with your phone in the night? This is when I often catch up on work emails.

Fractions, algebra need a bit of thought and careful explanation, but volumes are straightforward, just multiplication. Sorry, I know this doesn't sound sympathetic. It is tough to study when you haven't got a spare minute and it sounds like your tutor is very unhelpful given your situation. But that doesn't mean it's impossible, don't think that!

Another thought: can you take your dd along to the tutor sessions? Perhaps in a buggy/sling she would be happy to sleep, or could be entertained by you while you spoke with the tutor?

somewheresomehow · 04/01/2013 16:06

hi
i had to do my literacy and numeracy tests for my level 3 childcare course and found this site helpful to practice on.
www1.edexcel.org.uk/tot/alns2/CMA-Edexcel-web2.swf
good luck

MummytoKatie · 04/01/2013 16:12

Do you have an example question? There's loads of us on Mumsnet who are mathematical who can probably give you a few hints if you can't get hold of your tutor....

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/01/2013 16:14

Can you possibly afford a private tutor?

Or get onto work about him/her being uncontactable? I would think they would mind that they're clearly not getting their money's worth.

If there's something specific, is it possible we can help? Loads of MNers would probably be able to walk you through specific examples if you're finding that you can't easily up the practice because at the end, you're not sure why the answer is wrong.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/01/2013 16:14

Nice cross post mummytokatie!

ThreeWheelsGood · 04/01/2013 16:17

can you take the baby to the sessions with the tutor?

MummytoKatie · 04/01/2013 16:17

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 04/01/2013 16:20

I think that finding out all about the mental maths methods they are teaching KS2 children really helps adults with their own mental maths e.g. doubling and halving and being able to divide or multiply anything by ten to deal with percentages and decimals. Algebra difficulties generally come from a mental block about it e.g. but how can letters be numbers etc?, and the language used can be difficult unless you are used to it.

It does frustrate me when people - particularly women I have noticed - give out this attitude that maths is hard and they were never any good at it. They almost always pass it on to their daughters.

Are there any questions in particular you would share on here so we could have a stab at them together?

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 16:32

Ok thank you for comments , I can take DD but she would not sleep in the pushchair she just won't I can take her though but weather I will get much info to stay in having her there distracting me I don't know. Seriously my brain is rubbish ! Honest Im am stupid even ppl tell me I'm away with the fairies half the time and they find it amusing I don't find it funny tho yes I have time to come on here as I wasn't sure if anyone else has been in my position basically starting something brand new with a baby in tow. She is a v v clingy baby but I will trying best ! I have some practice questions so when I get a chance will pop one on here and see if you can give me an example of how to work it out :)

OP posts:

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 16:42

2 In one week the man eats food with a total sodium content of 14.0 grams. The recommended amount of sodium for a person is 10.5 grams per week. He works out that he has eaten 3.5 grams of extra sodium in the week.
Approximately, what is the extra sodium as a percentage of the recommended amount?
A 3% B 4% C 25% D 33%

OP posts:

Original poster

Xmasfun · 04/01/2013 16:43

See this is hard !

OP posts:

MummytoKatie · 04/01/2013 16:48

Extra sodium is 3.5 grams.

Recommended is 10.5 grams.

So we want to know what proportion 3.5 is of 10.5.

So 3.5 / 10.5 = 0.3333333.

But we want it as a percentage. Percentage is per cent. Ie out of 100. (French I think.)

So multiply by 100.

So 33%.

Does that make sense?

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