[Math] What textbook(s) do I need to self-study grade 9 – 11 math? I failed Gr 11 Math twice.

self-learning

I need a book that will help me to master all the concepts in math up until at least toronto's grade 11 math level by June. It's not a long way away, and I'm a slow learner. So what can I do to speed things up? Most concepts won't be new to me so that will help it along.

Also: I dropped out of this semester to study math and recover from an illness. It affects how long I can concentrate really well for – most of the time it's maximum four hours a day.

Best Answer

Before you take on the difficult task of undertaking a lengthy study of mathematics, you'll need to ask yourself why you are doing it. For instance, if you are interested in a career in the sciences, then the mathematics you will need to learn will be far more advanced than if you went into (for example) business management.

If indeed you are interested in studying mathematics beyond a year-11 level, then you'll need to direct your studies as necessary. Beginning with basic algebra and arithmetic (for example, learning what functions are, solving quadratic equations, doing basic statistics), you will need to move on to calculus, which is often introduced at the year-11 level.

More precisely, you will need to begin studying algebra and trigonometry in good detail. I will recommend the textbooks written by James Stewart, as I find them extremely comprehensive, and also quite challenging, which I believe is a great trait in a textbook for a student who is willing to learn mathematics. Stewart's Algebra & Trigonometry is great for an introduction to trigonometry and algebra, and for a more advanced approach, try Stewart's Pre-Calculus, which contains everything you need to learn before you begin a study in calculus.

If, perchance, you master these techniques, many of which you may already be familiar, and are confident enough to begin a course in calculus, I direct you to this post.