Math Tutor: Algebra Skills

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MARK TWAIN MEDIA PUBLISHING COMPANY Math Tutor: Algebra Skills Author: Editors: Contributer: Proofreader: Hal Torrance Mary Dieterich and Sarah M. Anderson Joseph A. Kunicki, Ph.D. April Albert COPYRIGHT 2011 Mark Twain Media, Inc.

1 MARK TWAIN MEDIA PUBLISHING COMPANY Math Tutor: Algebra Skills Author: Editors: Contributer: Proofreader: Hal Torrance Mary Dieterich and Sarah M. Anderson Joseph A. Kunicki, Ph.D. April Albert COPYRIGHT 2011 Mark Twain Media, Inc. ISBN Printing No EB Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers Distributed by Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC The purchase of this book entitles the buyer to reproduce the student pages for classroom use only. Other permissions may be obtained by writing Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Visit us at

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents How to Use This Book...1 Section 1: Factoring Numbers...3 Section 2: Fractions Review...5 Section 3: Positive and Negative Numbers...9 Section 4: Order of Operations Section 5: Base Numbers and Exponents Section Review 1: Covering Sections 1 Through Section 6: Expressions With Variables Section 7: Equations With Variables Section 8: Simplifying Variable Expressions Section 9: Solving Linear Equations Using Addition or Subtraction Section 10: Solving Linear Equations Using Multiplication or Division Section 11: Solving Equations in Terms of a Single Variable Section Review 2: Covering Sections 1 Through Section 12: Solving Problems Using Algebra Section 13: Multiplying and Dividing With Variables Section 14: Adding and Subtracting With Polynomials Section 15: Multiplying Polynomials Section 16: Factoring With Monomials, Binomials, and Trinomials Final Review: Covering All Sections Answer Keys ii

3 Section 2: Fractions Review Section 2 Fractions Review Adding or subtracting fractions with like denominators is a fairly straightforward process, as shown in the following examples. Only the numerators are added or subtracted. The final step is reducing the answer to lowest terms. Example 1:!g = Example 2: %h!h =!g = #g %h!h = $h reduces Fractions without like denominators must be changed before adding or subtracting can take place. The process is called finding a common denominator. This process is shown in the following examples. Example 3:!k = sef + Qw Yr = sef + Qw Yr = Qw Or NOTE: How to find a Common Denominator 1. Make a list of multiples for each denominator. 8 = 8, 16, 24, 32,... Example 4: 2 ay; = 1 Qq Pp ay; = 3 = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, The smallest number that is common to both is a common denominator. 1 Qq Pp ay; = 1 ar; reduces to 5

$Section 2: Fractions Review Section 2 Fractions Review For multiplying fractions, there s no need for a common denominator.$

4 Section 2: Fractions Review Section 2 Fractions Review For multiplying fractions, there s no need for a common denominator. The numerator is multiplied by the numerator, and likewise, the denominator is multiplied by the denominator, as shown in the following examples. Keep in mind also that mixed numbers must first be converted to improper fractions. Reducing fractions where possible will also make the process easier. Example 2: 1!h = &h = &h = Qe Rp reduces to aug NOTE: How to convert a Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction 1. Multiply the denominator by the whole number, and then add the numerator. 1!h = = 7 2. This number becomes the new numerator: &h The main difference in dividing fractions is inverting. Inverting is the process of flipping the second fraction so that the division can be performed. (This step actually turns the division problem into a multiplication problem as seen in the following examples.) Example 3: #k!s = #k = #k = ^k reduces to #f Example 4: 1 = Qq Rp x %s = can be reduced by cross-dividing &s x!a = &s x!a = &s reduces to 3!s 6

Section 3: Positive and Negative Numbers Section 3 Positive and Negative Numbers Consider the number line shown

Negative numbers therefore carry a value of less than zero.

One way to think of a negative number is like a hole in the ground that has had dirt removed.

The negative number depicts a quantity that a positive number of like amount would offset.

For the solved examples below, try drawing a basic number line on your own paper and counting the quantities as

5 Section 3: Positive and Negative Numbers Section 3 Positive and Negative Numbers Consider the number line shown below. From this number line, we can see that numbers to the left of zero are denoted with a minus sign. Negative numbers therefore carry a value of less than zero. Positive numbers are placed on the number line to the right of zero and carry a value of more than zero. One way to think of a negative number is like a hole in the ground that has had dirt removed. The empty hole is like a negative quantity, and a certain amount of dirt would refill that hole. The negative number depicts a quantity that a positive number of like amount would offset. For instance, if 20 shovels of dirt were removed from the hole, it would require 20 shovels of dirt to refill it. For the solved examples below, try drawing a basic number line on your own paper and counting the quantities as they are added or subtracted. Example 1: = = 0 (Think of this as simply 4 4.) Example 2: = = 3 (Think of this as simply 5 2.) Example 3: = = -7 (Think of this as simply 3 + 4, where both quantities are negative.) 9

) The process of multiplying and dividing negative numbers is made easier by a fixed set of rules. Consider the table below.

6 Section 3: Positive and Negative Numbers Section 3 Positive and Negative Numbers Example 4: 1-3 = 1-3 = 4 (Think of this as simply 1 + 3, since subtracting a negative is essentially adding a positive.) The process of multiplying and dividing negative numbers is made easier by a fixed set of rules. Consider the table below. Negative Negative = Positive Negative Positive = Negative Positive Negative = Negative Positive Positive = Positive (This table remains the same for division.) Example 1: 20-4 = 20-4 = -80 Example 2: = = 36 Example 3: = = -5 Example 4: = = 3 10

Section 4: Order of Operations Section 4 Order of Operations In working with math expressions, there are certain operations that must be performed first in order for the expression to be correctly

7 Section 4: Order of Operations Section 4 Order of Operations In working with math expressions, there are certain operations that must be performed first in order for the expression to be correctly evaluated. You ve probably seen these basic rules, called the order of operations, and used them before. We know that in a simple math expression, we read through it from left to right, looking for multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. Multiplication and/or division operations are performed first (when no other symbols are involved). Then addition and/or subtraction operations are performed. Example 1: = Example 2: = = = = = 28 Now consider the following symbols: parentheses ( ) brackets [ ] braces { } In a math expression, the operations within these symbols are performed in the order shown below: { [ ( first ) next ] last } Begin performing the operations within parentheses, then move to that part inside the brackets, and finally complete that portion within the braces. Example 3: ( ) + (5 x 6) = (5) + (30) = = 35 Example 4: [50 (2 x 12) + (12 2)] = [ ] = = = 32 13

Algebra II Practice. Dr. Barbara Sandall, Ed.D. Travis Olson, M.S.

Algebra II Practice. Dr. Barbara Sandall, Ed.D. Travis Olson, M.S. BY Dr. Barbara Sandall, Ed.D. Dr. Melfried Olson, Ed.D. Travis Olson, M.S. COPYRIGHT 2006 Mark Twain Media, Inc. ISBN 978-1-58037-753-9 Printing No. 404043-EB Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers Distributed