Because you dont practice shit.

Math is pure logic, nothing more to it. Practice it a lot and you will be able to solve equations and problems instantly.

Stojke has obviously never touched maths beyond high school level.

It takes a while to get used to it since it's so radically different from what you've ever done before. The time will come however when you go from wanting to bash your head against the desk to solving diff's with ease. Just keep struggling, I'm sure you'll get there soon enough

Talk to your professor. Most of them actually care. So make sure they know who you are and that you're trying. They'll help you out and usually toss you the few extra points if you're short of a certain grade.

Math is awful but you need to take good notes, and you need to do your homework. Find someone you can study with, go onto youtube, try midnighttutor.com

I failed Calc 1 twice until i pulled my head out of my ass and learned some good study habits. After that i got a B- in Calc 2 and then i pulled an A- in differential equations (the hardest class i have ever taken EVER)

This is how i take notes:
Follow along with the teacher when they are doing problems on the board. I put the initial equation on the top left of a sheet and then i draw arrows showing each step vertically below that. On the right, i will write down the steps i took and my thought process (or the teacher's) Use a different color pen or a highlighter to circle stuff, draw arrows, whatever!!!
You need to listen to the professor and teach yourself how to do the problems.

Also

Most of us here have gone to uni.
If you're having trouble post something in the forums, i'm sure some of us will take a stab at it.
Chin up and keep trying!

Madcow I am an Information Technology student. Yes I had advanced math and integrals/matrtixes. And i still say if its had for you, you didn't practice shit.

I'm doing advanced maths at my school.
I've felt like crying, a lot.
I managed to get 20% in my prelim and 36% in my post prelim .

first order and second order Differential equations, proofs ( by contradiction and shit ), binomial theorem and other shit genuinely make me want to break down and cry.

And Stojke, give me the answer to this then if you are so good at maths?

Im currently busy with some retro computers so you only get the first one:

We can write it as f''(x) - f'(x) - 2f(x) = e^x+12
First we calculate the general form f''(x) - f'(x) - 2f(x) = 0.
Assume f to be a sum of exponential functoins.
The ODE gives us the characteristic polynomial x^2 - x - 2 = 0

(x-2)(x+1), which yields x=2 or x = -1.

Thus the solution to f''(x) - f'(x) - 2f(x) is of the form f(x) = e^(2x) + e^(-x)

For f''(x) - f'(x) - 2f(x) = e^x + 12 (the particular solution) we must consider f a sum of exponentials and a polynomial function. However, any polynomial in f must be of degree 0 (otherwise a power x^n will be on the right hand side of the equation), thus, exponentials and a constant factor: f(x) = a*e^x + b.
Now, f'(x) = a*e^x = f''(x). insert into the equation f''(x)-f'(x)-2f(x) gives -2*(a*e^x + b) = e^x + 12, and thus a = -6 and b = -1/2

This gives f(x) = -6e^x - 1/2.

Now, the general solution is the sum of the particular solution and the complementary, and thus the final result is f(x) = -6e^x - 1/2 + a*e^(2x) + a*e^(-x)
(For any a)

... Holy shit, this makes me want to give up my dream of becoming a pilot... ITS SO HARD! I DONT WANT TO DO PRATICE WORK AND STUFF! I WANT TO BE FREE AND STRIVE! (Which is not possible, but yeah)

lol owned
Don't give up fellas.

welp just got served right there by stojke

@Stojke: I'll admit that I was wrong. I made that assumption judging by your behaviour here on TWHL which often resembles that of a 12 year old. We all learn math differently. You have no idea how much time Striker has spent on studies. So perhaps try being a bit more humble, and less arrogant?

DOMINATED! =P

I did fairly well with ODE's back at uni but because they have absolutely no useful application in programming, I've forgotten pretty much everything about them.

I might sound jumpy, but trust me, I never mean it as an insult.
That simply how i express my self.

I am well aware that people get various things with more or less ease than others. But from personal experience i am most certain that the key to master mathematical lessons is to practice them until solving problems starts being automated.
As i said its pure logic its all in noticing the, lets call it a, pattern in the equation/task, the way the task has been formed and what is it required to solve first to achieve the result.
I mean, i had 1/5 (worst grade), 2/5 and some times 3/5 in math in grade school, wasn't much better in middle school, and thats all because i didn't practice nor study it. In college i already started to study and practice it more often resulting in a final grade of 95/100. I might get natural science and technologies faster, but shit, when it comes to sociology, languages and lectures, thats just plain boring and i cant be bothered to study it. So i can understand when others have a hard time with something.

And one more thing, of course its hard, everything in life will challenge you whether you like it or not, but you can conquer it if you set your self to doing so. This isn't said ten thousand times everywhere just because it sounds nice, it is true.
And as many people suggested here, do try to get some extra lessons and always start from the most simplest task of the current lecture. You need to understand the basics in order to build a complex task and realize it. No one can lift 100kg in series with out first starting with smaller weights and building muscle.

Sorry if i sounded too ugh, i was quite busy, got a bitching hot retro case i was removing surface rust and filth from 100% steel, makes me hot.