Solving Equations View more

Start your algebra journey here with an introduction to variables and equations.

Book 46 Lessons

Introduction

Start

Understanding Variables

Understanding Expressions

Understanding Equations

Grocery Shopping

Solving Equations

Understanding Solutions

Working Backward

Isolating Variables

Isolating Expressions

Choosing a Credit Card

Writing Equations

Writing Equations

Introduction to Signed Numbers

Adding Signed Numbers

Subtracting Signed Numbers

Multiplying Signed Numbers

Simplifying Equations

The Distributive Property

Distributing and Factoring

Applying the Distributive Property

Combining Like Terms

Simplifying Equations

Solving Inequalities

Introduction to Inequalities

Graphing Inequalities

Solving Inequalities

Handling Negatives

Solving More Inequalities

Course description

Use diagrams and words to explore the very start of algebra, with puzzles and intuition guiding the way.

By the end of the course, you'll be able to simplify expressions and solve equations using methods that impart deep understanding rather than just procedures. You'll sharpen your problem solving strategies and explore what's really useful about algebra in the first place.

Topics covered

  • Bar Models
  • Distributive Property
  • Evaluating Expressions
  • Factoring
  • Factors
  • Inverses
  • Order of Operations
  • Simplifying Expressions
  • Solving Equations
  • Variables

Prerequisites and next steps

This is a great course to use for starting or re-starting your study of math. Before you get started, you should be comfortable doing numerical arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with positive and negative numbers), but you don't need to have any prior experience with algebra or variables to begin this course.

Next steps