[Emmett McCarthy]

I had the same problem. Never could see how to add, multiply or divide freakin' letters! Failed it with gusto every time. That being said, I do realize, after all these years, that I use it in ways I never would guess and do OK with it as long as I don't think of it as "algebra".

[tiki]

Exactly. I could always get an answer but I never could understand the way the teacher told us that we had to get the answer. As long as the answer was all that mattered I did fine.

[mathluv]

I love math and everything about it. I don't think every student should have to take algebra. That said, it is more about the thinking process, and the reasoning required in 'doing' math than the actual problem of finding X.

[BJungNan]

I had the same problem. Never could see how to add, multiply or divide freakin' letters! Failed it with gusto every time. That being said, I do realize, after all these years, that I use it in ways I never would guess and do OK with it as long as I don't think of it as "algebra".

Wow, you said it exactly! That's it!