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It’s Not That You’re Bad at Math

Rowen Infante |

Let’s be honest — Algebra feels impossible for a lot of students. But it’s not because you’re “not a math person.” It’s because most people are never taught how to actually approach it.

At Senda Primera, we help students rebuild their confidence by starting at the real beginning — not chapter one of a textbook, but the core ideas that make problem-solving click.

If you’re stuck in Algebra I, here’s exactly where to start:

✅ 1. Know What a Variable Actually Is

Before solving for “x,” you need to understand what “x” even means.

A variable is just a placeholder — it stands in for a number you don’t know yet.

Think of it like a blank on a form:
“I have __ apples.” → That blank is your variable.

Try this:
What number makes this statement true?

x + 3 = 7
Answer: x = 4.
Boom — that’s algebra.

✅ 2. Review Positive and Negative Numbers

You can’t move forward if you’re still shaky on negatives. Get comfortable with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with them.

Quick tip:

  • Same signs? Add.

  • Different signs? Subtract and keep the sign of the bigger number.

Examples:

  • -2 + (-3) = -5

  • -2 + 5 = 3

  • -4 × 6 = -24

Practice:

  • -4 + (-6) = ?

  • -10 – (-3) = ?

  • -2 × 6 = ?

✅ 3. Master the Golden Rule: Keep It Balanced

An equation is like a scale — you have to keep both sides equal.

If x + 4 = 9
Subtract 4 from both sides → x = 5

That’s the core of algebra:

Whatever you do to one side, do to the other.
No tricks. No shortcuts. Just balance.

✅ 4. Learn the Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

You need to follow the correct order when solving more complex expressions.

PEMDAS stands for:

  • Parentheses

  • Exponents

  • M/D Multiply or Divide (left to right)

  • A/S Add or Subtract (left to right)

Try this:
2 + 3 × (4² – 1)
→ Solve inside the parentheses first → then exponents → then multiply → then add.

✅ 5. Start Practicing Word Problems Now — Not Later

Most students avoid word problems until the end of the chapter. Don’t do that.

The earlier you learn to translate real-world situations into equations, the easier everything gets.

Example:
“Sarah has 5 more than twice the number of marbles James has.”
Let x = James’s marbles → Sarah has: 2x + 5

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