Series: Beginning Algebra Made Simple

Excellent!

09/21/2011

~ milly91

Great ways to explain Algebra and Geometry together. Very good.

So Easy To Understand

07/28/2011

~ michaelmc

I really get this now. Never thought of it this way before.

Below are the descriptions for each of the lessons included in the series:

• How To Combine Like Terms

  Remember back in elementary school when math made sense? This video helps you feel that way about math again. Starting with "adding like terms", you can build a strong foundation so you can understand math from now on!

  Learning to "add like terms" is one of the first things you learn in Algebra. This algebra video lesson explains addition in a way that anyone can understand.

  When you need Math help, it is best to start with something you already know. Since it's easy to understand addition in Arithmetic, this video starts there and shows you how much Algebra is like Arithmetic.

  I repeat things a lot because I know that helps. You need to practice a lot because that helps too.

• How To Multiply in Algebra

  Once you are in Algebra you have to know how to Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide. There are a lot of similarities to Arithmetic, of course, and many differences. That's what you need to pay attention to.
  
  This video explains how to multiply. It shows you the signs and symbols, and the terminology. There are no negative numbers in this video.

  Download the Guide to work as you watch the video.
  Download the Practice for....you guessed it...more practice.

• Number Line: Integers

  Arithmetic uses only positive numbers and zero. Algebra uses negative numbers too! This is a big deal! Since Algebra uses integers all the time you really need to know everything about them.

  This video will show you exactly what integers are!

  The number line is a picture of all real numbers. You will see the difference in counting numbers, whole numbers, and integers. The number line is the basis of all rules involving integers and is essential to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with positive and negative numbers.

  If you've studied Algebra before you know you must know your sign rules. I will explain them to you with a number line. Once that makes sense, then the rules are nice shortcuts to know.

  Remember it takes a lot of practice and that is where you come in. Work along with me as you watch the video and continue to practice until you are an expert yourself!

• Multiplying Positive And Negative Numbers

  This video is about the "M" word. I hate telling students to memorize something but this time....that's the truth. You have to memorize these three rules.

  If you want to be successful in Algebra you must learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with positive and negative numbers. This video shows you how these rules work and how to use them.

  As you watch this video, make sure each step is clear to you. If it is not, pause the lesson, rewind, and watch again. Download the PDF and work right along with me.

  In the end you will know these rules "as well as you know your name". That is what it takes to move forward with a good foundation.

  The best math help you can find anywhere allows you to work at your own pace, encourages repetition, and talks to you 1:1. That is what this video offers you.

• Multiplying Positive and Negative Numbers Cont'd

  Once you learn the signs laws for multiplying by heart, you can learn to handle more complex problems. This video is a more in depth look at multiplication. Whether you are multiplying fractions and any number of terms, it is easy to apply the rules, once you know them!

  It takes practice with these problems until they become second nature. You will learn a few shortcuts which you can use, not only to save time, but to check your problems and catch sign errors. Since one sign error can ruin an entire problem, you have to "get" this or forever fail Algebra. That's the cold hard truth.

  Work the problems along with me and keep practicing. That is the way to success.

• Adding Positive and Negative Numbers

  One thing is for sure. You must be able to work with negative numbers to succeed in Algebra. This video shows you how to combine positive and negative numbers. First I explain it the long way so you can add integers even if you don't know the rules. However, you will get tired of having to constantly go back to the beginning and do everything the looooong way. That's why there are sign rules, or shortcuts.

  You'll love the rules because they will save you so much time! But first you must understand where they come from and then... learn them 'by heart'. You will be able to do so much better in algebra once you know the sign rules for sure. Until you know them, you will struggle.

  Watching this video you will understand how the rules work and why.

  Once again, this video series provides math help whether you are brand new to Algebra or reviewing the subject to pass a test or go back to school. This video is the most important one to help you move into more advanced math topics.

  Work along with me. The practice, practice, practice.

• How To Solve Linear Inequalities

  Now that you have learned to solve linear equations, let's take a look at inequalities. There are very few differences in solving linear inequalities and solving linear equations so this will be easy for you to understand with a little practice.

  Several examples are included on this video to show you step-by-step how to proceed. They are not intended to be difficult but to show you how they differ from equations. Watch me work the problems first, then go back and work them by yourself. Compare your answers to mine.

  Even though linear inequalities can get much longer and more complex than these examples, they are worked the same way. The better you become at solving linear equations, the better you will be with inequalities.

  Equations are, at all times, stating that two quantities are equal. Inequalities are stating that, given two quantities, they may be unequal...and if they are, the inequality sign will tell you which one is larger.

  If Inequality statements are brand new to you, they are first introduced on the Number Line video.

• Solving Linear Equations

  Once you have learned the basic of the language of Algebra you will quickly start solving equations. The first equations you will solve are linear equations. This video breaks down the process of solving linear equations into easy-to-follow steps.

  The equations on this video are all one step equations. The examples show you how to use the inverse operation to get the variable by itself. The goal is always to get the variable on a side by itself.

  As you move into any advanced math class you will always need to solve equations. This video is paced slowly to provide the first important steps for the foundation you will need. Stay tuned for more videos on solving equations.

  Work along with me and use all the downloadable practice.

• Solving Two Step Linear Equations

  When you first get started in Algebra, one of the first things you learn to do is solve equations. This video solves equations that require two steps. It shows you how to know which step to do first and how to check to see if your answer is correct.

  Equations in Algebra get to be much longer and 'more complicated' than these. This is where you start so that you will have the foundation to move ahead. If you are absent from school when your teacher explains this process, this video will help you 'catch up' quickly. Whew! That's a good feeling. Being lost and getting behind is no fun!

• Meaning Of Exponents

  Exponents are everywhere in Algebra. You just can't get very far without understanding what they are and how they work. When you watch this video you will learn exactly that.

  Exponents are wonderful shortcuts and they speak a language of their own. Always begin at the beginning, at the most basic level. You will have a good foundation that way and you will build your confidence in mathematics.

  Download the Guide and along with me as you watch the video. Pat yourself on the back every time you are correct. I know that will be most of the time. :) If it isn't, ask me to slow down or repeat something for you by stopping the video and replaying what you need to hear and see again.

  The download the Practice Sheet.

  Master these little, tiny numbers and they will never defeat you.

• Laws Of Exponents

  Once you really understand what exponents are, it's time to learn how to use them. Whenever you notice the same thing occuring over and over again in math, you can expect to find a law.

  Exponent Laws are derived from patterns that show up every time you use the meaning of exponents. When you multiply, patterns show up. When you divide, patterns show up. When you raise a power to another power, patterns show up.

  This video will explain each one of these patterns and show you exactly how they work. Then you will learn the Laws of Exponents. It is information you really need to practice until it becomes natural.

  Work the "Guide" as you watch the video. Then work the Practice page.

• Algebraic Examples In Geometry

  Sometimes you just need extra practice in solving geometry problems using algebra. Most students like this part of Geometry more than proofs and definitons. Do you?

  You have four problems to solve on this video. Work them along with me. One is vertical angles. One uses angle bisector. A third problem uses linear pairs and the last problem uses supplementary angles.

  First of all, solve for x. Then find the measure of the angle. It is so easy to double check these and know for sure if you are right. I think you'll like these.

  As I say in the videa "Math is not a spectator sport." You can't just watch and just listen if you want to really learn and remember what you learn. You have to do the problems too. Work them with me, then work them by yourself.

• Using Algebra To Find Angle Measures

  Did you like Algebra? I hope so, because, many times in Geometry you are asked to solve for x. So if you thought you could get away from Algebra, oops, you were wrong! If you liked Algebra you are probably cheering to get back where you are comfortable.

  You must also know your geometry definitions to know how to set up your algebra equation. Solving the equation is almost always easy...once it is set up. The hard part comes when you are trying to set it up! The more definitions (in Geometry) that you really understand, the easier it is to set up your equation. Watch me and you'll see what I mean.

  In this video I will work problems with angle bisectors that form angles with equal measures. Also we'll work with linear pairs and supplementary angles.

• Commutative, Associative, Distributive, Identity

  This video explains the Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties. They are not very fun or interesting,to tell you the truth, but you need to know them. When I first learned them I thought they were pointless. I didn't understand why in the world they were in every math course I took. You may be like that too. Eventually, as you take more and more math classes, you will see that they never go away...and you'll begin to understand why you need these properties. This video lesson is more like eating your veggies than eating dessert! Just telling you the truth.

Supplementary Files:

• Once you purchase this series you will have access to these files:
• Guide_and_Practice_Combining_Like_Terms.pdf
• ANSWERS_Combining_Like_Terms.pdf
• Multiplying_In_Algebra_Guide.pdf
• Practice_Multiplying_In_Algebra.pdf
• ANSWER__How_To_Multiply_In_Algebra.pdf
• Practice_For_Number_Line_and_Integers.pdf
• ANSWERS_Number_Line_and_Integers.pdf
• Guide_Multiplication_Sign_Rules.pdf
• Practice_Multiplication_Sign_Rules.pdf
• ANSWERS_Mult_Signs_Rules.pdf
• Guide_Mult_With_Sign_Numbers_Cont.pdf
• Practice_Mult_With_Sign_Numbers_cont.pdf
• ANSWERS_Mult_of_Sign_Numbers_cont.pdf
• Guide_Positive_and_Negative_Numbers.pdf
• Practice_for_Adding_Postive_and_Negative_Numbers.pdf
• ANSWERS_Positive_and_Negative_Numbers.pdf
• Guide_Inequalities.pdf
• Practice_Solving_Inequalities.pdf
• ANSWERS_Solving_Inequalities.pdf
• Practice_for_Solving_One_Step_Linear_Equation.pdf
• Guide_Solving_Linear_Equations.pdf
• ANSWERS_One_Step_Equations.pdf
• Guide_and_Practice_2-Step_Equation.pdf
• ANSWERS_Two_Step_Linear_Equations.pdf
• Practice_Meaning_of_Exp.pdf
• Meaning_Of_Exponents_Guide.pdf
• ANSWERS_Meaning_of_Exp.pdf
• Laws_Of_Exponents_Guide.pdf
• Practice_Laws_Of_Exponents.pdf
• ANSWERS_Exp_Practice.pdf