Learning math is quite different than learning other subjects, and it is certainly different than learning isolated procedural tasks, such as how to change a flat tire. Math needs to be learned step-by-step. If you do not completely understand a particular topic, and are unable to perform tasks involving that topic with ease, there is no point in moving on to a new topic that depends upon the first one. However, this is exactly what most schools do, although in many cases, they simply do not have a choice.
Whether you are learning math from a website, or from a book, or from a private tutor, it is important to not move past a particular topic until you are fully comfortable with the one you are working on. You will simply fall farther and farther behind, and will get more and more confused and frustrated.
Another important point to understand is that you need to work on material that is at your level. This can be humbling if you are very far behind in math, but there is no point in struggling to learn material that you are not yet ready for. Many high school students struggle to solve equations such as 7x – 9 = 16x + 13, when the real problem was that they never fully learned basic math like addition and subtraction.
Try to find material that is at a level that you completely understand, and begin studying math from that point forward. It is OK if it is many grades below level. If you study hard, you will be able to catch up very quickly, and more importantly, you will have a solid understanding of all the fundamentals.
It is important to study math every day if you want to get good at it. Do not just finish your homework, close your book, and say that you are done. You are not done. You need to think about the material, close your book and quiz yourself, and then think about it some more. Each day, you also have to go back and review earlier material.
Math is not about “doing,” it is about understanding. It is about thinking. Do not just answer a question. Ask yourself why the answer makes sense, and why the method that you used makes sense. If you study in this fashion, you will have no trouble at all passing your math tests, and you will probably get close to 100 on most of them. The math just has to become a part of you, and that can only happen if you put in a great deal of effort every single day. Think about how you learn a sport or a musical instrument. It takes tons of daily practice, and tons of concentration. Learning math is exactly the same.