Learning Algebra: Pre-Algebra

Master the basics of pre-algebra: working with integers, expressions, and concepts such as the order of operations and distribution.

Pre-algebra is the first step in high school math, forming the building blocks that lead to geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. This course will help you master the basics: from addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to new types of numbers (integers and negative numbers) and concepts such as the order of operations and distribution.

This course includes practice challenges and worksheets, as well as tips for educators who are helping students master pre-algebra for Common Core. Karin Hutchinson also helps you evaluate, write, and simplify expressions, and solve word problems and complex algebraic expressions.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise challenge files

1. Adding Integers

• Introduction to integers
• Adding integers with the same sign
• Absolute value
• Adding integers with different signs
• Challenge: Add integers
• Solution: Add integers

2. Subtracting Integers

• Identifying the rule for subtracting integers
• Challenge: Subtract integers
• Solution: Subtract integers

3. Multiplying and Dividing Integers

• Identifying the rules for multiplying and dividing integers
• Challenge: Multiply and divide integers
• Solution: Multiply and divide integers

4. Order of Operations

• Introduction to the order of operations using PEMDAS
• Order of operations: Parentheses and exponents
• Order of operations: Other grouping symbols
• Challenge: Use the order of operations
• Solution: Use the order of operations

5. Evaluating Expressions

• Using variables to translate algebraic expressions
• Evaluating expressions by substituting for the variable
• Evaluating expressions using a table of values
• Challenge: Evaluate expressions
• Solution: Evaluate expressions

6. Word Problems and Algebraic Expressions

• Introduction to common mathematical words
• Writing algebraic expressions for real-world problems
• More real-world problems
• Challenge: Translate word problems into algebraic expressions
• Solution: Translate word problems into algebraic expressions

7. The Distributive Property

• Proving the distributive property
• Distributing a positive number
• Distributing a negative number
• Distributing a negative number: Problem 2
• Challenge: Distribute a negative number
• Solution: Distribute a negative number

8. Simplifying Expressions

• Introduction to like terms
• Combining like terms
• Simplifying expressions using the distributive property
• Simplifying expressions with double distributive property
• Challenge: Use the distributive property to combine like terms
• Solution: Use the distributive property to combine like terms

Conclusion

• Next steps