Algebra I Syllabus

Course Overview
Students develop algebraic fluency by learning the skills needed to solve
equations and perform manipulations with numbers, variables, equations,
and inequalities. They also learn concepts central to the abstraction and
generalization that algebra makes possible. Students learn to use number
properties to simplify expressions or justify statements; describe sets with set
notation and find the union and intersection of sets; simplify and evaluate
expressions involving variables, fractions, exponents, and radicals; work with
integers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers; and graph and solve
equations, inequalities, and systems of equations. They learn to determine
whether a relation is a function and how to describe its domain and range;
use factoring, formulas, and other techniques to solve quadratic and other
polynomial equations; formulate and evaluate valid mathematical arguments
using various types of reasoning; and translate word problems into
mathematical equations and then use the equations to solve the original
problems. The English word algebra and the Spanish word algebrista both
come from the Arabic word al-jabr , which means "restoration." A barber in
medieval times often called himself an algebrista . The algebrista also was a
bonesetter who restored or fixed bones. Mathematicians today use algebra to
solve problems. Algebra can find solutions and "fix" certain problems that you
encounter.

Required Text
Life of Fred Beginning Algebra as Serious as it Needs to Be - Stanley F.
Schmidt Ph.D.

ISBN- 13 978-0-970999511

Life of Fred: Fred's Home Companion Beginning Algebra

ISBN-13 978-0970999566

Also Required: Scientific calculator

Course Details
Numbers and Sets

•finite and infinite sets

•natural numbers, whole numbers, integers

•set notation

•negative numbers

•ratios

•the empty set

The Integers

•less than (<) and the number line

•multiplication

•proportion

•Pi

•coefficients

Equations

•solving equations with ratios

•formulas from geometry

•order of operations

•consecutive numbers

•rational numbers

•set builder notation

•distance = (rate)(time) problems

•distributive property

•proof that (neg.) x (neg.) = (pos.)

Motion and Mixture

•proof of the distributive property

 •price and quantity problems

•mixture problems

•age problems

Two Unknowns

•solving two equations, two unknowns by elimination

•union of sets

•graphing of points

•mean, median, mode, and averages

•graphing linear equations

•graphing any equation

Exponents

•solving two equations, two unknowns by graphing

•solving two equations, two unknowns by substitution

•inconsistent and dependent equations

•factorials

•commutative laws

•negative exponents

Factoring

•multiplying binomials

•solving quadratic equations by factoring

•common factors

• factoring a difference of squares

•Factoring by grouping

Fractions

•Solving equations containing fractions

 •simplifying fractions

•adding and subtracting fractions

•multiplying and dividing fractions

•complex fractions

Square Roots

•Solving pure quadratic equations

•principle square roots

•Phythagorean Theorem

•the real numbers

•the irrational numbers

•cube roots and indexes

•solving radical equations

•rationalizing the denominator

•extraneous roots

Quadratic Equations

•Solving quadratic equations by completing the square

•the quadratic formula

•long division of a polynomial by a binomial

Function and Slope

•definition of a function

•domain, codomain, image

•six definitions of slope

•slope intercept

•range of function

Inequalities and Absolute Value

•graphing inequalities in two dimensions

•division by zero

•algebraically solving linear inequalities with one unknown