Introduction to Algebra

About This Course

Develop a rich understanding of the rudiments of algebra in a relaxed and supportive learning environment. This course will help you understand some of the most important algebraic concepts, including orders of operation, units of measurement, scientific notation, algebraic equations, inequalities with one variable, and applications of rational numbers.

An emphasis on practical applications for your newfound skills will help you learn to reason in a real-world context. As a result, you will acquire a wide variety of basic skills that will help you find solutions to almost any problem.

This unique and thought-provoking course integrates algebra with many other areas of study, including history, biology, geography, business, government, and more. By the time you finish this course, you will understand how algebra is relevant to almost every aspect of your daily life.

About The Instructor

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Sharon Daniels.

Sharon Daniels received a B.S. in physics from Southern University in Louisiana, and was accepted into a prestigious North Carolina Teach program. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. She teaches for a private school, worked as a programmer/engineer for a large aerospace firm, and provides consulting, tutoring, and training services in statistics, calculus, programming, database and Web design, project management, and economics.

Syllabus

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week 1

Wednesday - Lesson 01

Today we'll begin to explore Al-jabru, Arabic for algebra, which means the science of restoration and canceling. We'll go in search of algebraic solutions. On our quest, you'll learn definitions, numeric properties, and basic operations that originated from the ancient lands where papyrus was used instead of paper.

Friday - Lesson 02

How do calories contribute to weight gain? How can you make a dense cake? You'll answer these and other questions in today's lesson. You'll learn the different physical quantities, their units of measurement, and why they're important. I'll show you the dimensions of length, area, and volume and how to convert their units of measurement. You'll also learn the difference between mass and weight, and density and weight density.

Week 2

Wednesday - Lesson 03

Today we'll talk about evaluation, but not the type of evaluation your boss or your teacher may give you … well, at least not until your final exam. In this lesson, we'll evaluate algebraic expressions by using the order of operations and the distributive property. You'll also learn translation as we translate word problems into numerical ones.

Friday - Lesson 04

In this lesson, you'll learn formulas for basic shapes: squares and rectangles, triangles, circles, spheres, cylinders, and cubes. You may be thinking, "This is a geometry course, too?" In a way you're correct—some aspects of geometry involve formulas, which people use in everyday life. And where there are formulas, algebra can't far behind.

Week 3

Wednesday - Lesson 05

Today you'll learn how to balance equations while learning even more formulas, such as those used to calculate interest, distance, and temperature. We'll talk about how to translate these types of verbal equations into numerical ones. So this is your chance to hone reading comprehension skills, too!

Friday - Lesson 06

In this lesson, we'll calculate problems involving percentages, such as how much to invest at different interest rates to obtain optimum interest, and you'll learn how to determine a specific quantity of a component of a mixture or solution given specific concentrations. I'll also show you how to buy wisely by teaching you how to calculate percent increase and decrease, sales tax, and discounts.

Week 4

Wednesday - Lesson 07

The more you practice, the better you'll be able to speak the language: the math language. Practice makes perfect! So in this lesson, you'll calculate populations, averages, lengths, and widths. You'll also learn how to calculate consecutive integers, including consecutive odd and even integers.

Friday - Lesson 08

In today's lesson, you'll learn ratios and how to apply them to probability and odds. You'll learn how to solve proportions involving wildlife census taking, measurement of scales, and calculation of gas mileage. You'll also find out how quantities vary in equations, whether directly or indirectly, and how to apply these variations to scientific laws and equations involving weight, area, and equations of lines. Let's get moving and try not to break any laws—scientific laws, that is!

Week 5

Wednesday - Lesson 09

In this lesson, you'll engage in outdoor activities such as jogging, boating, and traveling in order to solve equations of uniform linear motion. We'll talk about how to calculate distance, rate (speed), and time while going in the same direction, opposite directions, and with wind and water current.

Friday - Lesson 10

Today, you'll learn how to use the formula that employs the same concept as the uniform linear motion equation. It is the job formula (or equation) and it involves rational equations. You'll calculate how long it takes to finish the job, how much of the job is done, and at what rate the job is done, depending on the number of people doing the job.

Week 6

Wednesday - Lesson 11

Discover some of the natural laws that govern our universe and delve into other physics concepts such as resistance, conductance, focal length, and forces while you learn some history of D-Day.

Friday - Lesson 12

Potpourri, anyone? Test various problem-solving skills while you meet General Sherman and experience the gloominess of the Great Depression. I told you it was potpourri.

Requirements

Internet access, e-mail, and the and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser are also required.