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Algebra – what is it?

Algebra is a wide part of mathematics that uses abstraction by replacing alphabetic characters for numbers. This abstraction is the very reason why most people find algebra scary and too difficult to handle and it is the same reasons why some pupils find it fun to play around with. Algebra topics range from working with inequalities to factoring binomials all the way to finding the inverse of a matrix. Most people get down to try Algebra by adding, subtracting, reducing and simplifying algebraic expressions . later on, they would move on to more advanced stages of solving algebraic equations using the greatest common factors and converting fractions in to decimals.

Exponents and Radicals and Graphing Oh My!

There are many higher level subjects. To start off with there are powers. A power is the small number placed to the right and slightly above a number or algebraic expression. An example is (x + y)³ where the 3 is the exponent and denotes the power to which that number is exponentiated. The above algebraic expression is read as, x plus y to the third power. In working with exponents you can add, subtract, multiple or divide them. If you pick up the basic principles, you will shortly start working with rational and negative powers and if you think those are not challenging enough, hopefully radicals will spin your head. A radical, in simple terms, is the reversing of an exponent. Radical expressions are denoted by the symbolic representation “V” and when placed alongside number 4, it is read as square root of 4, which is equal to 2. The inverse of “V” symbol is “^” which denotes that the number it refers to is a multiple of the principle number. Therefore, 2^2 which is read as 2 to the 2nd power, equals 4. Moreover, powers can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided by radicals. Radicals can be switched into powers and powers back into roots. If you find that exponents and radicals don’t really perk up your interest, you could move on to graphing. Start with graphing straight lines and deciding if the line is horizontal or vertical or something else. Another question to ask is whether the line has an x-intercept or a y-intercept Furthermore, try and see if you can find the slope of a line. After you master graphing lines, a whole world of circles, parabolas and hyperbolas awaits you!

Help is Out There

If you are learning algebra and this all seems a little too much, don’t scratch. It’s time to look around because there exists a wide array of resources that is able to help you master the subject area. Look for math tutors or software applications that will walk you through stepwise process on how to solve any problem. Know that frustration is not your only friend because any of these instruments can assist you become an algebra expert in no time.