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Math is my life and I love to share it!
Michael C.

4.9 (1,319 ratings)

6,078 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $40
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Response time: 14 minutes

About Michael

Bio

Hello there, prospective tutees!

I love math and breathe physics, and work to infuse some of that enthusiasm into you, or your student. I have been tutoring in some form or fashion for over a decade, from the physics tutorial lab at my university, to a weekly community "smart night" for high- and middle-school students, and several personal friends and family in between. In my current profession I teach physics at a community college.

To be a tutor, one must know one's stuff. But more...

Hello there, prospective tutees!

I love math and breathe physics, and work to infuse some of that enthusiasm into you, or your student. I have been tutoring in some form or fashion for over a decade, from the physics tutorial lab at my university, to a weekly community "smart night" for high- and middle-school students, and several personal friends and family in between. In my current profession I teach physics at a community college.

To be a tutor, one must know one's stuff. But more importantly, a tutor must be able to use his mastery of the subject to lead the student through the pitfalls and perils into new understanding. Sometimes that means backing off and letting the student take the lead. Sometimes it means teaching by demonstration. Always, however, I begin by ascertaining the current level of understanding and building from that point to where he or she needs to be. Along the way I try and make it fun for everybody.

I am here to serve, to answer, to solve, but mostly to enlighten. Let me show you how.

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Education

Brigham Young University
undergrad
Brigham Young University
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $40
  • Rate details: Group rates are available on request.
  • Lesson cancellation: 4 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 7/13/2018

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

ACT Math

ACT Math

I got a perfect score on the math portion of the ACT, and of course I have learned much since then. I also know a thing or two about standardized tests so can give you some strategic pointers.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

Algebra is the basis of all symbolic variable mathematics, in which the exact value of one or more unknown quantities is obtained by logical, methodical manipulation of known relationships. Algebra 1 introduces the rules governing this manipulation, as well as other mathematical ideas you may not have seen yet. (Turns out you CAN take the square root of a negative number!) On a personal note: believe it or not, I didn't think I was very good at math until I took algebra in the eighth grade. Perhaps you, too, have found math up to this point pointless and boring--how many times must one regurgitate 5 x 6 = 30? Trust me, it gets a lot more exciting. And ironically enough, it was in taking algebra that basic arithmetic became easy. (Such is the general pattern--one doesn't really master algebra until calculus.)
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 picks up where the first installment leaves off. Think of it as one of those movie sequels that are actually as good or better than the original (like Toy Story). For example, here we deal with solving systems of equations with multiple unknowns--turns out there are actually several ways of doing this. I took and aced "Algebra 2: Return of the X" my freshman year in high school. Loved it.
Astronomy

Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of objects in the sky, mostly the night sky, and bumps up against the physics of the entire universe. It includes the planets and moons of our own solar system, the stars and constellations, the structure of our galaxy and others, and of the universe as a whole.
ASVAB

ASVAB

The ASVAB consists of a number of tests in subjects ranging from general science, to math knowledge and arithmetic, to vocabulary, to mechanical comprehension. I have not taken it, but was asked a few months ago to work with somebody who was preparing for it, and (in his words), he "learned more than [he] ever did in school." I can refresh your algebra skills and show you tricks to speed up your calculations, especially in the context of a multiple-choice test. I can explain most of the science and mechanical knowledge questions too, as well as the word knowledge and paragraph comprehension.
Calculus

Calculus

How do you find the slope at any point on a curve that is constantly changing direction? How can you find the area of a region not bounded by the nice straight lines that make up rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids? Calculus! Calculus slices the mathematical world into itty bitty pieces called differentials. Comparing differentials gives you slopes. Adding them up gives you areas. And that's just scratching the surface. All of your math studies to this point have been laying the foundation for calculus. I was exposed to calculus in my first algebra class just as a lark or random tangent by the teacher, and was immediately hooked. After completing Algebra 2, I taught myself calculus over the summer.
Chemistry

Chemistry

I took a chemistry course in high school and again in college. Much of chemistry overlaps with physics, and that's where I'm most comfortable. I also really love stoichiometry (both doing it and saying its fun name).
Differential Equations

Differential Equations

Differential equations are equations involving one or more derivatives of an unknown function. A variety of slick techniques exist to solve for the unknown function, depending on the exact type of differential equation presented. As a Master of physics, I have significant exposure and experience in dealing with ordinary and partial differential equations. Alas, opportunities to practice are few and far between, so I would love to keep that sword sharp by helping you with your ODE or PDE problems.
Geometry

Geometry

Geometry, from the Greek for earth-measure, is one of the oldest branches of mathematics. It deals with the properties of lines, angles, and shapes, often deriving rigorous proofs from relatively few self-evident axioms. Analytical geometry puts the ideas from geometry into the context of algebra, specifically the x-y plane. I took a geometry class my sophomore year in high school and excelled.
Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel

I am self-educated in the use of Excel, picking up my skills in the course of performing incidental job functions. As such, I know most of the basic features and rules, plus a few neat tricks. However if you need help with more advanced stuff like "pivot tables" or what not, to be honest you're best off to keep on looking. Sorry about that.
Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

I like to write occasionally, and MS Word has been my go-to word processor for decades. It's fairly straightforward and intuitive but if you're just starting out I can show you a few basic formatting tips to get you going.
Physical Science

Physical Science

I teach basic physics to college students.
Physics

Physics

In two words or less, physics boils down to "things move." I have been a physics guy since my freshman year of high school, when I took an eagerly-awaited Conceptual Physics class. After getting a 5 on the AP my senior year, I dived right into physics as my university major, completing a BS and an MS in the subject. Currently I teach physics at a community college and derive much joy and satisfaction therefrom.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

Prealgebra, true to its name, prepares you for algebra. Math begins to move beyond the basic arithmetic skills to the powerful thinking tool it will become as you move forward.
Precalculus

Precalculus

As prealgebra is to algebra, so precalculus is to calculus. Here the acquired disciplines of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry come together to prepare the student for the rigors of calculus. There even tantalizing sneak peeks into calculus itself. Now, true confession: I did not take a "precalculus" class as such (my school didn't offer it, and I didn't need it anyway). However, since living in Las Vegas I have had many opportunities to successfully tutor students struggling with one aspect or another of precalc.
Probability

Probability

Probability is really cool, as it manages to take something as strict and predictable as math and apply it to things that follow no defined rule (or else rules far too complex to be dealt with directly). Probability tells us what will generally happen if we repeat the same experiment over and over, such as drawing cards from a deck, or rolling dice, without specifying the outcome of any particular instance. As a stand-alone class, probability was never part of my curriculum. However, the principles thereof have been part of courses I have taken, from prealgebra to thermal physics to quantum mechanics.
PSAT

PSAT

Math is math no matter the specific standardized test, and I know math. I have been teaching and tutoring everything from pre-algebra to partial differential equations for several years. Helping you study for the PSAT math portion would be well within my abilities!
SAT Math

SAT Math

I scored very well on the math portion of the SAT. The SAT, like the ACT, samples the math courses you have taken from the beginning of your education. You will need to read graphs, think logically, and have a variety of mathematical tools at the ready.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry (affectionately known as "trig") begins as an intense look at right triangles but quickly becomes about much more, from general triangles to complex numbers to waves. I taught myself trigonometry when I encountered trig on my way to learning calculus. I also took a trig class in high school. And naturally the classes I took in my major kept my skills sharp.
GED

Examples of Expertise

Michael has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Michael C.'s Photo

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Response time: 14 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (1,319 ratings)
5 star
(1,210)
4 star
(91)
3 star
(10)
2 star
(3)
1 star
(5)

Reviews

Amazing at Physics

Professor Michael worked out problems with me and he didn't hesitate in switching to different subjects quickly. He is very clear, concise, and knows what he doing. Take him for sure!

Richard, 2 lessons with Michael
Tutor responded:

Thank you kindly good sir! The ability to seamlessly switch between various topics is one of those little things I pride myself on, and so I'm very grateful that you noted this.

Excellent Tutor

Michael has tutored my daughter throughout high school and has been very engaging and encouraging. She did great on her Algebra Regents and excelled in Geometry with Michael’s support and guidance. This year he is tutoring her in Calculus and I’m sure she will have a great year ! He is enthusiastic and always eager to help her in every way !

Nirupa , 292 lessons with Michael

Flexible and affordable tutor who wants to help students succeed

he is an awesome tutor and hopefully my son will do much better this year. He has embraced everything i have asked. He tries to make sure the student understands and tries to show them the easiest way

Constance , 39 lessons with Michael

Excellent Math Tutor

Michael was a great tutor for my high schooler. She was really struggling with geometry and Michael helped her understand the material. With his help she brought her grade up from a D to a B+. He will also work with your schedule so that meetings are easy.

Derek, 28 lessons with Michael

great torque who knew everything

He knows everything about physics. At least the questions I was stuck on. He answered them all correctly and with confidence! He’s like the Andrew tate of physics.

Daniel, 3 lessons with Michael

Excellent Math Tutor

Michael was a great tutor for my high schooler. She was really struggling with geometry and Michael helped her understand the material. With his help she brought her grade up from a D to a B+. He will also work with your schedule so that meetings are easy.

Derek, 28 lessons with Michael

He is really passionate about math!!!

He has helped my daughter tackle concepts she's missing from classroom teaching. He's excellent at decoding the problem and has given my daughter the confidence to learn and keep up with the pace at school.

James, 2 lessons with Michael

convergent and divergent sequences

I got a lot of questions answered and made more progress then I have in a while on the topic, great tutor! Very flexible and knowledgeable đź‘Ť

Danielle, 1 lesson with Michael

Michael

Excellent tutor . Always on time. Very patience with my son. My son has very good grades since he start taking lessons with Michael

Karla, 64 lessons with Michael

Very thorough lesson, kind tutor!

He sat down with me and focused directly on what I needed help with, and did not get side tracked a single time. I immediately understood what was taught, and genuinely had a good time while I was at it. He is very kind, would recommend. :)

Gorana, 1 lesson with Michael
Tutor responded:

It was my pleasure helping you! Thank you for your kind review.

Hourly Rate: $40
Response time: 14 minutes
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