I don't get it either but I do know that it is training your brain to think differently. My son is taking algebra right now. I took in college too a few years back, I did great but never understood it then either. I have never had to use it in anything that I have ever done. Just memorize PEMDAS. Parenthesis, equations, multiplication, division, addition,and subtraction, in that order and viola, you have your answer. Who in the world came up with it anyway????