Do I need to know algebra for chemistry?

Question

I am taking a chemistry course fall semester, it will be my first one...I have no experience in algebra. Will I be o.k. Do you need algebra in chemistry???

Answer 1

Absolutely.  

You really use Algebra 1 skills.. but you have to be able to think easily in the way that is necessary for doing algebra problems.  That's why you want to finish algebra 2 first if you can, or at least have done well in alg 1.   It has to be nearly instinctive, or you just get more and more confused about the chemistry concepts.  If you try to take chemistry without understanding algebra well enough, you'll have a very hard time and hate it forever.  If you're prepared, you can understand it, work with it, and really enjoy learning chemistry.

Answer 2

Yes, you need algebra for chemistry. In fact, my counselors told us that Algebra 2 goes with Chemistry. That's what I'm taking when school starts back up. Algebra 2 and Chemistry

Answer 3

Yes.  Algebra calculations work the same as trying to figure out what happens with a chemical reaction.  It's all about atoms, protons and neutrons.  The end result after a chemical reaction is to figure out which chemical got what proton and what neutron and what the new chemical will be.

Final note, if you really want to understand what is going on, you need Algebra.

Answer 4

No, but it would help.  If you go on to college and want to take chemistry, you will definitely need at least 2 years of high school algebra before you take college-level chemistry.

Good luck to you!

EDIT:  My bad.  Chemistry was such a nightmare experience for me that I've blocked a lot of those memories.  I remember lots of problems that had ratios or "solve for X," but I honestly don't remember using anything from algebra II in my chemistry class.  I'm awaiting a reminder from a good-hearted chemistry teacher.

In the meantime, I'm here to say I was wrong.  

Thanks to all of you for not being rude about my error.

Answer 5

Oh yes!  Yes!!  Yes!!!  YES!!!!

Yes.  You need to know some algebra.  Without it you will be lost.

I've taught chemistry for over 35 years and I've seen what happens when students who don't have the necessary math skills try to do chemistry.  It's not pretty.

That's why I require a grade of C or better in algebra II (not algebra-one, algebra-two is required) before they can take chemistry.

Just look at the large number of questions on the chemistry section of YA which involve math.  Some students' atrocious math skills contribute to them resorting to this forum for help.