Making Algebra Understandable
What is Algebra?
It is an area of mathematics that use letter of the alphabets in replacement of numbers to derive results for a given situation. It is this abstraction that often frightens many and shudders some. topics of algebra extend from working with inequalities to factoring binomials all the way to finding the inverse of a matrix. Most people start to try Algebra by adding, subtracting, reducing and simplifying fractions. They then move on to understanding equivalent fractions, finding Least Common Multiples (LCM) and converting fractions to decimals.
Oh no! It’s Exponents, Radicals and Graphing
There are many advanced themes. First there are exponents. An exponent is the little 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 raised. The above algebraic expression is expressed as, x plus y to the third power. While working with exponents you will often come across exercises that require you to add, subtract, multiply and divide. If you pick up the basics, you will soon get down to working with rational and negative exponents and if you think those are not challenging enough, hopefully complex number will spin your head. A radical, in simple terms, is the reversing of an power. Radical expressions are denoted by the symbol “V” and when placed beside 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, exponents can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided by radicals. Radicals can be converted into exponents and powers back into radicals. If you find that powers and roots don’t really perk up your interest, you could move on to graphing. The best way to start with graphing is to draw lines and try to figure out if they are horizontal, vertical or neither. Does the line have an x-intercept or a y-intercept? Can you find the slope of the 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 fret. Did you know that there are many resources out there that can help you master non-linear inequalities, quadratic formulas and polynomials. The tradition is to settle for a math tutor, but the cutting-edge algebraic software are no different. In fact, they are better than math tutors. You can also use algebra calculators or algebra solvers. any of these tools can assist you become an algebra expert in no time.
