Algebra Basics

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Understanding the Vocabulary of Algebra

Equations, operations, variables, constants . . . . Knowing the symbols and expressions used in algebra makes understanding algebra easier. This video explains some of the common phrases and symbols you'll [more…]

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, whole numbers, natural numbers, integers, [more…]

How to Solve Algebra Problems with Grouping Symbols

Grouping symbols organize an algebra problem with multiple groups. Algebraic grouping symbols (parentheses, brackets, braces, radicals, fraction lines) show where a group starts and ends, and helps to [more…]

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 or about equal to another value. These algebra [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…]

Basic Algebra Vocabulary

Knowing basic algebra vocabulary can help you translate key algebra words into algebra problems. By knowing the definitions of algebra vocabulary in this list, you make constructing and solving algebra [more…]

Quantities Symbols in Algebra

Algebra uses some operational symbols to represent numerical quantities. While symbols, specifically, pi (ð),represent a constant quantity, other algebra symbols, such as the square root and absolute value [more…]

How to Remember the Order of Operations

Remember algebra's order of operations with the phrase: "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally." This trick for remembering the order of operations reminds you which steps to take and when: [more…]

Grouping Symbols in Algebra

Grouping symbols organize an algebra problem with multiple groups. Algebraic grouping symbols — parentheses, brackets, braces, radicals, and fraction lines — show where a group starts and ends, and help [more…]

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…]

Basics of Positive and Negative Numbers

Positive and negative numbers are all integers. Integersare whole numbers that are either greater than zero —positive — or less than zero — negative. For every positive integer, there's a negative integer [more…]

How to Use Opposite Operations

When solving equations in algebra, working the opposite operation to determine the answer comes up often. You have to undo operations that have been done to the variable. The opposite of an operation is [more…]

How to Determine Absolute Value

In algebra, the absolute value operation tells you how far a number is from zero. Absolute value doesn’t pay any attention to whether the number is less than or greater than zero; it just determines how [more…]

How to Add Positive and Negative Numbers with the Same Sign

If you add a positive number with another positive number, the sum will always be a positive number; if you add two negative numbers, the sum will always be a negative number. So when you have an algebra [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! Instead of using a new set of rules for subtracting positive and negative numbers, just change the minus sign [more…]

How to Multiply and Divide Positive and Negative Numbers

Multiplying and dividing are the easiest operations to do with positive and negative numbers. As long as you can multiply and divide, the rules for multiplying and dividing positive and negative numbers [more…]

How to Check an Answer to an Algebra Problem

Checking your answers when doing algebra problems is always a good idea — after all, if there's a way to ensure that you have the correct answer, it's worth the time, isn't it? You check your answers in [more…]

How to Work with Coefficients

Algebra simplifies expressions with coefficients,which are numbers preceding variables. For example, 3 is the coefficient in 3x. Rather than using a multiplication sign between 3 and [more…]

Operational Symbols in Algebra

In algebra, operational symbols or signs give you a blueprint on how to operate algebraic equations. You need to recognize algebra’s operational symbols so you’ll know when to add, subtract, multiply, [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…]

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