Visualizing Algebra NEW

Patterns and Problems

Throughout this Intermediate Algebra course, we will use algebra to quantify and describe the world around us. Have you ever wondered… San Jose State University

Class Summary

Throughout this course, we will use algebra to quantify and describe the world around us. Have you ever wondered how many songs can fit onto your flash drive? By the end of the course, you’ll have stronger skills for modeling problems, analyzing patterns, and using algebra to arrive at conclusions.

What Should I Know?

Almost nothing! Students should know their multiplication tables (1-12) and be proficient with adding and subtracting integers (for example, -7 - 16). A pencil and paper will be a student’s best aid rather than a calculator.

Important: Enrolling here will get you started in the free, open version of this class. If you want to take the class for credit, have access to the instructors, and additional support services, you'll need to enroll through our university partner portal

If you are interested in taking this course for credit, please also fill out this quick interest form!

See our Udacity / SJSU Plus FAQ for more details on how this course works and how to get college credit.

What Will I Learn?

Understand and develop the language, models, and tools for math reasoning.

Reason with numbers and units to solve problems.

Identify, analyze, extend, and create patterns and functions.

Make connections about relations and functions through multiple representations: graphs, charts, tables, equations.

Apply mathematical reasoning and logic to solve equations and write equivalent forms.

Syllabus

Unit 1 - Review of Foundations (available 1/30/2013)

Unit 2 - Equations and Inequalities (available 2/5/2013)

Unit 3 - Graphs of Linear Equations (available 2/7/2013)

Unit 4 - Systems of Equations (available 2/13/2013)

Unit 5 - Exponents and Polynomials (available 2/20/2013)

Unit 6 - Factoring (available 3/4/2013)

Unit 7 - Rational Expressions (available 3/13/2013)

Unit 8 - Rational Exponents and Radicals (available 3/25/2013)

Unit 9 - Solving Quadratic Equations (available 4/1/2013)

Unit 10 - Quadratic Equations and Applications (available 4/10/2013)

Unit 11 - Conic Sections (available 4/18/2013)

Unit 12 - Inverses, Exponentials, and Logarithms (available 4/29/2013)

Course Instructors

Sandra DeSousa is an Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics at San Jose State University and San Jose City College. She has been teaching developmental math for the last 6 years (in both small classrooms and large lecture halls). Teaching algebra to her struggling students is her favorite because she loves when they “get it.” She is always trying new and different teaching methods to help her students succeed and is very excited to work with Udacity.

Chris graduated from Emory in 2008 with majors in Math and Chemistry. After teaching and tutoring for four years, he joined Udacity to share his passion for math with thousands of students.