We Make Algebra 1 Easy to Homeschool With the Right Math Teacher!

This chapter introduces students to basic terms and concepts used in algebra. Time is taken to ensure the student understands basic number operations, variables and their applications. Additionally, the student gains a fundamental sense of equations, inequalities and their solutions.

Sections:

• 1.1 Number Operations
• 1.2 Variables
• 1.3 Order of Operations
• 1.4 Translating Verbal and Algebraic Phrases
• 1.5 Equations / Inequalities / Solutions

This chapter focuses on getting the student to master working with the Real Numbers. Students learn the rules of integers and practice through many examples. Also, students will learn to apply the Distributive Property and simplify variable expressions by combining like terms.

Sections:

• 2.1 Real Number System
• 2.2 Adding Real Numbers
• 2.3 Subtracting Real Numbers
• 2.4 Multiplying and Dividing Real Numbers
• 2.5 Distributive Property
• 2.6 Simplifying by Combining Like Terms

Solving Equations chapter breaks down the steps to solve multi-step linear equations. Students will build up their skills as they progress from one and two-step equations to more advance equations. Core concepts involved will be reviewed to include the Distributive Property and combining like terms.

Sections:

• 3.1 One Step Equations
• 3.2 Solving Two Step Equations
• 3.3 Solving Multi-Step Equations
• 3.4 Formulas and Literal Equations

This very important chapter on Graphing Linear Equations walks the student step-by-step to mastering how to graph linear equations. Concepts involving the coordinate plane, slope and methods to graph lines are thoroughly reviewed and introduced. Upon completion of the chapter students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills needed to learn more advance topics involving linear equations.

Sections:

• 4.1 Graphing Lines with One Variable
• 4.2 Graphing Lines with Two Variables
• 4.3 The Slope of a Line
• 4.4 Slope Intercept Method
• 4.5 XY Intercept Method

Writing the Equations of Lines chapter builds on the student’s prior knowledge and skill of linear equations. Various methods to find and write the equation of a line are introduced and practiced. The chapter focuses on the proper way to set-up and use formulas to write linear equations. Additional related topics are explored to include linear models, linear regression and word problems.

Sections:

• 5.1 Using Slope-Intercept Form
• 5.2 Using Point-Slope intercept
• 5.3 Given the Slope and a Point
• 5.4 Given Two Points
• 5.5 Standard Form of Linear Equations
• 5.6 Best Fitting Lines and Scatter Plots
• 5.7 Linear Models / Word Problems

In this chapter students will apply their equation solving skills to solve linear inequalities. Basic concepts and terms are introduced first, along with how to graph inequalities.

Sections:

• 6.1 Linear Inequalities
• 6.2 Compound Inequalities
• 6.3 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Understanding systems and the methods to solve them are vital in algebra. This chapter introduces/reviews techniques to solve linear systems. Students will also explore special systems, word problems and systems of linear inequalities. Lastly, the topic of Linear Programming will be introduced. This powerful way to use systems in business and industry will connect the chapter’s concepts to “real world” applications.

Sections:

• 7.1 Solving Systems by Graphing
• 7.2 Solving Systems Substitution Method
• 7.3 Solving Systems by Elimination / Linear Combination
• 7.4 Solving Linear Systems Word Problems
• 7.5 Special Linear Systems
• 7.6 Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities
• 7.7 Linear Programming

Absolute value problems can be challenging for some students to grasp. Time is taken to teach students core concepts and build understanding. Students will learn how to graph absolute value functions and apply the steps to solve absolute value equations/inequalities.

Sections:

• 8.1 Introduction to Absolute Value
• 8.2 Graphing Absolute Value Equations
• 8.3 Solving Absolute Value Equations
• 8.4 Absolute Value Inequalities

This chapter covers the rules of powers and exponents a student needs to learn in algebra. Also, important applications of these rules are covered to include scientific notation, compound interest and exponential growth and decay.

Sections:

• 9.1 Product and Power Rules of Exponents
• 9.2 Negative and Zero Exponents Rules
• 9.3 Division Rules of Exponents
• 9.4 Scientific Notation
• 9.5 Compound Interest
• 9.6 Exponential Growth and Decay

The first part of the chapter covers the parts of a polynomial, related terminology and how to perform polynomial operations. A special focus is placed on avoiding common mistakes. The second part of the chapter focuses on the extremely important skill of factoring polynomials. Students will first understand how to factor out a polynomial GCF and build on this to learn many techniques to factor polynomials.

Sections:

• 10.1 Introduction to Polynomials
• 10.2 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
• 10.3 Multiplying Polynomials
• 10.4 Multiplying Polynomials Special Cases
• 10.5 Sum and Difference of Two Cubes
• 10.6 Factoring Greatest Common Factor
• 10.7 Factoring Quadratic Trinomials
• 10.8 Special Factoring Rules

Understanding the properties and methods to solve quadratic equations is essential for the student to advance in algebra. This chapter explains each concept in a very specific and focused manner. After students have been introduced to quadratic equations they build up their knowledge by learning various techniques to solve them. Additionally, they will learn the connection between solutions and graphs of quadratic functions. The chapter ends by covering quadratic inequalities and word problems.

Sections:

• 11.1 Introduction to Quadratic Equations
• 11.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Square Roots
• 11.3 Graphing Quadratic Equations
• 11.4 The Quadratic Formula
• 11.5 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
• 11.6 The Discriminant – Types of Roots
• 11.7 Completing the Square
• 11.8 Quadratic Equation Word Problems
• 11.9 Graphing Quadratic Inequalities

Functions and relations transcend all through mathematics. This chapter explains core concepts at the algebra level and prepares the student for more advance study of the topic. Time is taken to explain the difference between a function and relation; and introduce the student to the language of functions to include the domain, range and linear/nonlinear functions. Students will also learn function operations, composite functions and graphing.

Sections:

• 12.1 Introduction to Functions and Relations
• 12.2 Function Operations
• 12.3 Inverse Functions
• 12.4 Graphing Functions
• 12.5 Linear and Nonlinear Functions
• 12.6 Composite Functions

This chapter takes the student through fundamental rational expressions to include ratios, proportions, percent and variation. Students will learn different methods to solve rational expression problems. The section on simplifying rational algebraic expressions starts by reviewing basic examples using numbers before introducing variable examples.

Sections:

• 13.1 Ratios and Proportions
• 13.2 Percent
• 13.3 Direct and Inverse Variation
• 13.4 Simplifying Rational Expressions
• 13.5 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
• 13.6 Finding the LCD of Rational Expressions
• 13.7 Solving Rational Equations
• 13.8 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

This chapter introduces the concept of radical expressions/equations at the Algebra 1 level. Students will first learn the properties of square roots and associated operations to include solving basic radical equations. Next the chapter looks at the application of radicals and how they help solve many problems in algebra. Specifically, the chapter will focus on the Pythagorean Theorem and the Distance and Mid-Point formula.

Sections:

• 14.1 Simplifying Radicals
• 14.2 Operations with Radicals
• 14.3 Solving Radical Equations
• 14.4 The Distance and Mid-Point Formula
• 14.5 The Pythagorean Theorem

This chapter is a fundamental overview of how to work with data. Sections in the chapter introduce units of measures, conversion, mean, median, mode and range. Also, included is a section on graphs and plots such as box-and-whisker plots and frequency tables. The chapter also provides a section on the basic concepts of probability to include a discussion into the Law of Large Numbers. Lastly, there is a section on counting theory which will take a look at how to count using trees and the Fundamental Principle of Counting.

Sections:

• 15.1 Units of Measure and Conversion
• 15.2 Measures of Central Tendency – Mean, Median and Mode
• 15.3 Exploring Data – Charts, Tables, Graphs and Plots
• 15.4 Introduction To Probability
• 15.5 Counting Theory