Algebra I Essentials For Dummies

Algebra I Essentials For Dummies®
About the Author
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Setting the Scene for Actions in Algebra
Making Numbers Count
Giving Meaning to Words and Symbols
Operating with Signed Numbers
Dealing with Decimals and Fractions
Chapter 2: Examining Powers and Roots
Expanding and Contracting with Exponents
Exhibiting Exponent Products
Taking Division to Exponents
Taking on the Power of Zero
Taking on the Negativity of Exponents
Putting Powers to Work
Circling around Square Roots
Chapter 3: Ordering and Distributing: The Business of Algebra
Taking Orders for Operations
Dealing with Distributing
Making Numbers and Variables Cooperate
Making Distributions Over More Than One Term
Chapter 4: Factoring in the First and Second Degrees
Making Factoring Work
Getting at the Basic Quadratic Expression
Following Up on FOIL and unFOIL
Making UnFOIL and the GCF Work Together
Getting the Best of Binomials
Chapter 5: Broadening the Factoring Horizon
Grabbing Onto Grouping
Tackling Multiple Factoring Methods
Knowing When Enough Is Enough
Recruiting the Remainder Theorem
Factoring Rational Expressions
Chapter 6: Solving Linear Equations
Playing by the Rules
Solving Equations with Two Terms
Taking on Three Terms
Breaking Up the Groups
Focusing on Fractions
Changing Formulas by Solving for Variables
Chapter 7: Tackling Second-Degree Quadratic Equations
Recognizing Quadratic Equations
Finding Solutions for Quadratic Equations
Applying Factorizations
Solving Three-Term Quadratics
Applying Quadratic Solutions
Calling On the Quadratic Formula
Ignoring Reality with Imaginary Numbers
Chapter 8: Expanding the Equation Horizon
Queuing Up to Cubic Equations
Using Synthetic Division
Working Quadratic-Like Equations
Rooting Out Radicals
Chapter 9: Reconciling Inequalities
Introducing Interval Notation
Performing Operations on Inequalities
Finding Solutions for Linear Inequalities
Expanding to More Than Two Expressions
Taking on Quadratic and Rational Inequalities
Chapter 10: Absolute-Value Equations and Inequalities
Acting on Absolute-Value Equations
Working Absolute-Value Inequalities
Chapter 11: Making Algebra Tell a Story
Making Plans to Solve Story Problems
Finding Money and Interest Interesting
Formulating Distance Problems
Stirring Things Up with Mixtures
Chapter 12: Putting Geometry into Story Problems
Triangulating a Problem with the Pythagorean Theorem
Being Particular about Perimeter
Making Room for Area Problems
Validating with Volume
Chapter 13: Grappling with Graphing
Preparing to Graph a Line
Incorporating Intercepts
Sliding the Slippery Slope
Making Parallel and Perpendicular Lines Toe the Line
Criss-Crossing Lines
Turning the Curve with Curves
Chapter 14: Ten Warning Signs of Algebraic Pitfalls
Including the Middle Term
Keeping Distributions Fair
Creating Two Fractions from One
Restructuring Radicals
Including the Negative (Or Not)
Making Exponents Fractional
Keeping Bases the Same
Powering Up a Power
Making Reasonable Reductions
Catching All the Negative Exponents
Index