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Quadratic Equations
How to Use FOIL to Distribute Two Binomials (Video)
In algebra, variables are placeholder letters (capitalized and lowercase) that represent the unknown, or what you're solving for. This video shows you what variables can look like and what they mean. Understanding variables help make algebra easier for you. [more…]
Quadratic Equations
How to Use UnFOIL to Factor Quadratic Equations (Video)
Using the unFOIL method to factor quadratic equations into two binomials requires many steps. Prime factorization and order of decreasing powers are two parts of the unFOIL method, which helps you solve for quadratic equations. Remember that FOIL stands for first, outer, inner, and last. [more…]
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Algebra Basics
How to Use the Order of Operations
Follow the order of operations with each algebra problem you solve. The order of operations in algebra is important if you want to find the correct answer. You first work through any grouping symbols, [more…]
Quadratics in Algebra
Standard Equations of Algebraic Conics
Conics are curved algebraic forms that come from slicing a cone with a plane. Use these equations to graph algebraic conics, such as circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas: [more…]
Linear Equations in Algebra
Cramer’s Rule for Linear Algebra
Named for Gabriel Cramer, Cramer’s Rule provides a solution for a system of two linear algebraic equations in terms of determinants — the numbers associated with a specific, square matrix. [more…]
Counting Techniques
Algebraic Permutations and Combinations
In algebra, you use permutations to count the number of subsets of a larger set. Use permutations when order is necessary. With combinations, you can count the number of subsets when order doesn't matter [more…]
Algebra Basics
Eight Basic Algebraic Curves
Algebra is all about graphing relationships, and the curve is one of the most basic shapes used. Here's a look at eight of the most frequently used graphs. [more…]
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How to Use the Order of Operations
Follow the order of operations with each algebra problem you solve. The order of operations in algebra is important if you want to find the correct answer. You first work through any grouping symbols, [more…]
Standard Equations of Algebraic Conics
Conics are curved algebraic forms that come from slicing a cone with a plane. Use these equations to graph algebraic conics, such as circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas: [more…]
Cramer’s Rule for Linear Algebra
Named for Gabriel Cramer, Cramer’s Rule provides a solution for a system of two linear algebraic equations in terms of determinants — the numbers associated with a specific, square matrix. [more…]
Algebraic Permutations and Combinations
In algebra, you use permutations to count the number of subsets of a larger set. Use permutations when order is necessary. With combinations, you can count the number of subsets when order doesn't matter [more…]
Eight Basic Algebraic Curves
Algebra is all about graphing relationships, and the curve is one of the most basic shapes used. Here's a look at eight of the most frequently used graphs. [more…]
Algebra Equations for Multiplying Binomials
In algebra, multiplying binomials is easier if you recognize their patterns. You multiply the sum and difference of binomials and multiply by squaring and cubing to find some of the special products in [more…]
Algebra’s Quadratic Formula
You can find solutions for quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, guessing, or everyone's favorite — using the quadratic formula. The best thing about the quadratic formula [more…]
Rules for Radicals — the Algebraic Kind
Working with radicals can be troublesome, but these equivalences keep algebraic radicals from running amok. Finding the root of product or quotient or a fractional exponent is simple with these formulas [more…]
Algebra’s Laws of Logarithms
Logarithms help you add instead of multiply. The algebra formulas here make it easy to find equivalence, the logarithm of a product, quotient, power, reciprocal, base, and the log of 1. [more…]
Defining Number Systems in Algebra
A number system in algebra is a set of numbers — and different number systems solve different types of algebra problems. Number systems include real numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational [more…]
How to Multiply Two Mixed Numbers
Knowing how to multiply fractions will help when it comes to multiplying two mixed numbers. This is because when multiplying mixed numbers, you first have to change them to improper fractions. You then [more…]
How to Multiply Three Mixed Numbers
Multiplying mixed numbers is quite similar to multiplying simple fractions. Sometimes, you may need to multiply three or more mixed numbers together, for example, when applying one discount after another [more…]
How to Remember the Order of Operations
You have to follow the order of operations with each algebra problem you solve. Following the order of operations in algebra ensures that anyone reading a mathematical expression can solve it the same [more…]
How to Determine What Variables Represent
Algebra uses letters, called variables,to represent numbers that correspond to specific values. Algebraic variables can represent the unknown and what you’re solving for in an algebra problem, as well [more…]
How to Change Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers
Changing improper fractions to mixed numbers can help you better understand the result of an algebraic problem. Improper fractions are simply top-heavy fractions whose numerators [more…]
How to Create Equivalent Fractions Using Common Denominators
You must find a common denominator if you want to add, subtract, or compare fractions that have different denominators. A common denominator, which means having the same number in the denominator [more…]
Grouping Symbols in Algebra
Grouping symbols organize an algebra problem that contains multiple groups. Algebraic grouping symbols — parentheses, brackets, braces, radicals, and fraction lines — show where a group starts and ends [more…]
How to Determine Absolute Value
In algebra, the absolute value operation tells you how far a number is from zero. It doesn’t pay any attention to whether the number is less than or greater than zero, and so absolute values are always [more…]
How to Add Positive and Negative Numbers with the Same Sign
If you add a positive number with another positive number, the sum is always a positive number; if you add two negative numbers, the sum is always a negative number. So when you have an algebra problem [more…]
Recognizing Operational Symbols in Algebra
The basics of algebra involve symbols. Algebra uses symbols for quantities, operations, relations, or grouping. The symbols are shorthand and are much more efficient than writing out the words or meanings [more…]
How to Solve Algebra Problems with Grouping Symbols
Grouping symbols organize an algebra problem that contains multiple groups. These grouping symbols — parentheses (), brackets [], braces {}, radicals (the square root symbol), and fraction lines — show [more…]
Recognizing Relationship Symbols in Algebra
Algebraic relationship symbols show how numbers or terms of an equation relate to each other. The relationship symbols show if one value is larger, smaller, equal, or approximately equal to another value [more…]
How to Distribute Variables
Distributing variables over the terms in an algebraic expression involves multiplication rules and the rules for exponents. When different variables are multiplied together, you can write them side by [more…]
How to Add Positive Numbers with Negative Numbers
When the signs of two numbers that you're adding are different, forget the signs and find the difference between the numbers — which is the difference between their absolute values. The number farther [more…]
How to Subtract Positive and Negative Numbers
Subtracting positive and negative numbers is really easy to do: You don’t! Just change the minus sign (the one that's the operator) to a plus sign, change the number that the minus sign was in front of [more…]
