A List of Lessons in the Algebra Curriculum There are 15 lessons in this curriculum. According to the cookies on this browser, you have passed 0 of the curriculum tests. There is a detailed overview of the curriculum contents below this list. Algebra Curriculum Algebra Definitions Understanding equations Understanding constants Understanding variables Understanding coefficients Understanding exponents Understanding operators Understanding terms in algebra Understanding expressions in algebra Arithmetic with Letters Subtracting letters Multiplying letters Dividing letters Arithmetic with Terms Subtracting terms Multiplying terms Rearranging an Equation rearranging an equation algebra with addition algebra with subtraction algebra with multiplication algebra with division Laws of Exponents in Algebra Understanding the laws of exponents Understanding an exponent of −1 Multiplying powers Dividing powers Finding a power of a power Finding a power of a product Finding a negative exponent Understanding like terms Identifying like terms Adding like terms Subtracting like terms Collecting like terms Expanding Brackets Expanding brackets Expanding brackets using the grid method Expanding double brackets Understanding the FOIL methods Multiplying expressions in algebra Expanding double brackets using the grid method Solving Equations with Brackets Solving an equation with brackets Solving an equation with two sets of brackets Understanding factors in algebra Finding factors in algebra Understanding the greatest common factor in algebra Finding the greatest common factor in algebra Factoring an expression

Algebraic Fractions Understanding algebraic fractions Adding algebraic fractions Subtracting algebraic fractions Multiplying algebraic fractions Dividing algebraic fractions Simplifying algebraic fractions Finding the reciprocal of an algebraic fraction What Is Algebra? Dictionary Definition Equations ("Tetris" Game) Here is an interactive game to help you learn about equations . Each falling equation has a correct answer and a wrong one. Click on the correct one to score points and to make the equation disappear. If you click on the wrong one (or do not click), the equation will fall to the bottom. The wrongly answered or unanswered equations will start to build up. When the screen is full, you're toast. Where Does the Word "Algebra" Come From? Albert Einstein and Algebra Algebra Definitions There are many different words used in algebra, such as equation, variable, coefficient, term. Understanding algebra is easier when you understand what each of these words mean. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn all the definitions. Equation An equation has an equals sign ( = ) and tells us two values are equal. Here is an example of an equation: Constant A constant have a fixed value. In the equation below, the 2 , 1 , and 9 are constants. Variable A variable is a symbol that stands for a number. Its value is not fixed - it can take any value. In the equation below, the x is a variable. Coefficient A coefficient is a number that is placed in front of a letter. The coefficient is multiplying the variable. In the equation below, the 2 is a coefficient. Exponent An exponent tells you how many times a number (or symbol) is multiplied by itself. It is written to the right and above the number. In the equation below, the 2 is an exponent. Operator An operator defines an operation , such as + , − , × , and ÷ . In the equation below, the + is an operator. Term A term is a collection of one or more numbers, letters and brackets written next to each other (they are multiplied together). Terms are separated by + or − operators. In the equation below, the 2x 2 , 1 and 9 are terms. Expression An expression is one term or several terms that are added (+) or subtracted (−) together. In the equation below, the 2x + 1 and 9 are expressions. They are separated by the = sign. Read More equations constants variables coefficients exponents operators terms in algebra expressions in algebra Arithmetic with Letters Algebra uses letters and other symbols to represent numbers. Just like numbers, the letters and symbols can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn arithmetic with letters. Adding Letters Adding letters works when the letter is added to numbers, other letters and the same letter. Subtracting Letters Subtracting letters works when the letter is subtracted by numbers, other letters and the same letter. Multiplying Letters Multiplying letters works when the letter is multiplied by numbers, other letters and the same letter. Dividing Letters Dividing letters works when the letter is divided by numbers, other letters and the same letter. Read More how to add letters how to subtract letters how to multiply letters how to divide letters Arithmetic with Terms Terms are a collection of one or more numbers, letters and brackets written next to each other. Terms can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn arithmetic with terms. Adding Terms Terms can be added . Subtracting Terms Terms can be subtracted . Multiplying Terms Terms can be multiplied . The coefficients are multiplied, and each letter must appear in the result as many times as they appear in the multiplication. Dividing Terms Terms can be divided . Read More how to add terms how to subtract terms how to multiply terms how to divide terms Laws of Exponents in Algebra An exponent tells you how many times a number, letter or term is multiplied by itself. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn how to use the law of exponents in algebra. Laws of Exponents The laws of exponents in algebra let us understand how a letter can be multiplied by itself. Exponent of −1 A letter with an exponent of −1 is equal to 1 divided by the letter. Multiplying Powers When the same letters with different exponents are multiplied together, the exponents can be added. Dividing Powers When the same letters with different exponents are divided , the exponents can be subtracted. Powers of Powers A power of a power is where a letter with an exponent is itself raised to an exponent. When a letter with an exponent is raised to another exponent, the exponents can be multiplied. Powers of Products A power of a product is where a term containing letters multiplied together is raised to an exponent. Each letter in the term is raised to the exponent. Negative Exponent A letter with a negative exponent is equal to 1 divided by the letter with the exponent made positive. Read More the laws of exponents an exponent of −1 how to multiply powers how to divide powers how to find a power of a power how to find a power of a product how to find a negative exponent Like terms are terms which have the same combination of letters, each with the same exponent. The only difference allowed between terms that are like terms are the numbers and signs in front of them. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn how to find like terms and how to collect like terms to simplify expressions. Like Terms Like terms have the same letters with the same exponents. x , 2x and −x are like terms, they all contain x ; only the number or sign in front of them is different. a 2 b , 5a 2 b and 1 ⁄ 2 a 2 b are like terms, they all contain a 2 b ; only the number or sign in front of them is different. Identifying Like Terms Identify like terms in an expression by finding terms with the same letters and exponents. Adding Like Terms Like terms can be added . Add the coefficients together. Subtracting Like Terms Like terms can be subtracted . Subtract the coefficients from each other. Collecting Like Terms Collect like terms by adding and subtracting the like terms you have identified. This simplifies the expression. Read More like terms identifying like terms adding like terms subtracting like terms collecting like terms Expanding Brackets Expanding brackets means multiplying terms inside of a pair of brackets in order to remove the brackets from an expression. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn how to expand brackets. Expanding Brackets Expanding a single pair of brackets means multiplying the term outside of the brackets with each term inside the brackets. This removes the brackets. Expanding Brackets with the Grid Method Brackets can be expanded using the grid method . This is a useful method if you prefer using pictures to understand a method. Expanding Double Brackets Expanding double brackets means multiplying the term in two pairs of brackets that are written next to each other. This removes the brackets. The FOIL Method FOIL stands for Firsts, Outsides, Insides, Lasts. It helps you remember an order to multiply terms when expanding two pairs of brackets. Multiplying Expressions Multiplying expressions means writing each expression in a pair of brackets and expanding them. Expanding Double Brackets with the Grid Method Double brackets can be expanded using the grid method . Read More expanding brackets expanding single brackets using the grid method expanding double brackets the FOIL method multiplying expressions in algebra expanding double brackets using the grid method Solving Equations with Brackets Some equations in algebra contain brackets. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn about how to solve equations with brackets. Solve Equations with Brackets To solve equations with brackets , expand the brackets and rearrange the equation to find what x equals. Solve Equations with Two Sets of Brackets To solve equations with two sets of brackets , expand both brackets and rearrange the equation to find what x equals. Read More how to solve an equation with brackets how to solve an equation with two sets of brackets Factoring is the opposite of expanding brackets. It is a way of simplifying an expression. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn about factors in algebra, the greatest common factor and how to factor expressions. Factors A factor is one of the numbers, letters and brackets (or a product of them) that are multiplied together to make a term. Finding Factors You can find factors of terms by looking at the numbers, letters and brackets (with any exponents) that appear in the term. The factors of 2x are 1 , 2 , x and 2x . Greatest Common Factor The greatest common factor is the largest factor that is common to two or more terms. The greatest common factor of 2xy and 2xz is 2x . Finding the Greatest Common Factor Find the greatest common factor by looking at the numbers, letters and brackets that appear in two or more terms. Factoring Expressions Factoring simplifies an expression by writing it as a product of factors. It lets you write an expression where terms are added together to one where they are multiplied together to make a single term. Read More factors in algebra how to find factors in algebra the greatest common factor in algebra how to find the greatest common factor in algebra factoring an expression Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions are fractions which contain letters and other symbols. In this mini-curriculum, you will learn about algebraic fractions, including arithmetic and simplifying. Algebraic Fractions An algebraic fraction is a fraction which contains letters and other symbols. Adding Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions can be added . Subtracting Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions can be subtracted . Multiplying Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions can be multiplied . Dividing Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions can be divided . Simplifying Algebraic Fractions Algebraic fractions can be simplified by cancelling out terms that appear on the top and bottom of the algebraic fraction. Powers of an Algebraic Fraction An algebraic fraction can be raised to an exponent . The top and bottom of the fraction are both raised to the same exponent. Reciprocal of an Algebraic Fraction The reciprocal of an algebraic fraction is found by turning the algebraic fraction upside down. Read More algebraic fractions adding algebraic fractions subtracting algebraic fractions multiplying algebraic fractions dividing algebraic fractions simplifying algebraic fractions how to find a power of an algebraic fraction how to find the reciprocal of an algebraic fraction This page was written by Stephen Clarke . You might also like... Help Us Improve Mathematics Monster Do you disagree with something on this page? Did you spot a typo? Find Us Quicker! When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Mathematics Monster quicker if you add #mm to your search term. Share This Page If you like Mathematics Monster (or this page in particular), please link to it or share it with others. If you do, please tell us . It helps us a lot! 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