📘Intermediate Algebra Unit 1 – Foundations

Key Concepts

• Understand the real number system consists of rational and irrational numbers
• Recognize the properties of real numbers include commutative, associative, and distributive properties
• Identify the order of operations (PEMDAS) specifies the sequence in which to perform mathematical operations
  • Parentheses
  • Exponents
  • Multiplication and Division (left to right)
  • Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
• Differentiate between expressions (combination of numbers and variables) and equations (statement that two expressions are equal)
• Comprehend the concept of a variable represents an unknown value
• Grasp the idea of a function describes a relationship between input and output values
• Understand the Cartesian coordinate system consists of two perpendicular axes (x-axis and y-axis) used to plot points

Building Blocks

• Recognize that integers include positive whole numbers, their negatives, and zero
• Understand that fractions represent parts of a whole or ratios
  • Numerator (top number) represents the count of equal parts
  • Denominator (bottom number) represents the total number of equal parts
• Identify that decimals represent fractions with denominators of 10, 100, 1000, etc.
• Comprehend that percentages represent fractions with a denominator of 100
• Recognize that exponents represent repeated multiplication ($a^n = a \times a \times ... \times a$ (n times))
• Understand that square roots ($\sqrt{a}$) represent the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals $a$
• Identify that absolute value ($|a|$) represents the distance of a number from zero on the number line

Fundamental Operations

• Addition combines numbers to find the total or sum
• Subtraction finds the difference between two numbers
• Multiplication repeats addition a certain number of times to find the product
  • Multiplying by a fraction less than 1 results in a smaller product
  • Multiplying by a fraction greater than 1 results in a larger product
• Division splits a number into equal parts to find the quotient
  • Dividing by a fraction less than 1 results in a larger quotient
  • Dividing by a fraction greater than 1 results in a smaller quotient
• Exponentiation raises a base number to a power
• Understand that the order of operations (PEMDAS) determines the sequence of performing these fundamental operations

Problem-Solving Strategies

• Read the problem carefully to identify given information and the question being asked
• Identify the relevant concepts and formulas needed to solve the problem
• Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps
• Translate word problems into mathematical expressions or equations
• Estimate the expected range of the answer to check the reasonableness of the solution
• Use diagrams, tables, or graphs to visualize the problem and organize information
• Check the units of measurement to ensure consistency throughout the problem
• Review the solution to ensure it makes sense in the context of the problem

Real-World Applications

• Calculating tips, taxes, and discounts in financial transactions
• Determining the cost of ingredients for recipes based on serving sizes
• Estimating the time required to complete tasks or travel distances
• Analyzing data in various fields (business, science, social sciences) to make informed decisions
• Calculating areas and volumes for construction and design projects
• Understanding compound interest for investments and loans
• Interpreting statistical information in news articles and reports

Common Pitfalls

• Misunderstanding the order of operations (PEMDAS) leading to incorrect calculations
• Forgetting to distribute negative signs when expanding or factoring expressions
• Confusing the concepts of area and perimeter or volume and surface area
• Dividing by zero, which is undefined and leads to mathematical errors
• Misplacing decimal points when performing operations with decimals
• Incorrectly converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Rounding too early in multi-step problems, leading to inaccurate final answers
• Misinterpreting word problems or using the wrong information to solve them

Practice Techniques

• Work through a variety of practice problems to reinforce concepts and problem-solving skills
• Focus on understanding the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing formulas
• Break down complex problems into smaller steps and practice each step individually
• Use flashcards to memorize key formulas, definitions, and properties
• Participate in study groups to discuss concepts, share problem-solving strategies, and learn from others
• Seek help from teachers, tutors, or online resources when struggling with a concept or problem
• Regularly review and summarize notes to reinforce understanding and identify areas for improvement
• Practice mental math and estimation to develop number sense and catch errors in calculations

Advanced Topics

• Understand that logarithms are the inverse of exponents and used to solve exponential equations
• Recognize that complex numbers consist of a real and imaginary part ($a + bi$, where $i = \sqrt{-1}$)
• Identify that matrices are rectangular arrays of numbers used in solving systems of linear equations
• Comprehend that trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent) describe relationships between the sides and angles of triangles
• Understand that conic sections (circles, ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas) are curves formed by intersecting a plane with a double cone
• Recognize that sequences are ordered lists of numbers that follow a specific pattern
• Identify that series are the sum of the terms in a sequence
• Understand that limits describe the behavior of a function as the input approaches a certain value