Study Guide: Algebra 1
1. Basic Algebraic Operations
● Variables and Expressions:
○ Variable: A letter (e.g., x, y) that represents a number.
○ Algebraic Expression: A mathematical phrase involving numbers, variables,
and operations (e.g., 3x + 5).
○ Like Terms: Terms with the same variable raised to the same power (e.g., 2x
and 3x).
● Simplifying Expressions:
○ Combine like terms (e.g., 3x + 2x = 5x).
○ Use the distributive property: a(b+c)=ab+aca(b + c) = ab + aca(b+c)=ab+ac.
2. Solving Linear Equations
● One-Step Equations: Solve by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing both sides by
the same number.
○ Example: x+5=12⇒x=12−5⇒x=7x + 5 = 12 \Rightarrow x = 12 - 5 \Rightarrow x
= 7x+5=12⇒x=12−5⇒x=7.
● Two-Step Equations:
○ Example: 2x+4=12⇒2x=12−4⇒2x=8⇒x=42x + 4 = 12 \Rightarrow 2x = 12 - 4
\Rightarrow 2x = 8 \Rightarrow x = 42x+4=12⇒2x=12−4⇒2x=8⇒x=4.
● Multi-Step Equations:
○ Example: 3(x−2)=12⇒3x−6=12⇒3x=12+6⇒3x=18⇒x=63(x - 2) = 12
\Rightarrow 3x - 6 = 12 \Rightarrow 3x = 12 + 6 \Rightarrow 3x = 18 \Rightarrow x
= 63(x−2)=12⇒3x−6=12⇒3x=12+6⇒3x=18⇒x=6.
● Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides:
○ Example: 3x+5=2x+8⇒3x−2x=8−5⇒x=33x + 5 = 2x + 8 \Rightarrow 3x - 2x = 8 -
5 \Rightarrow x = 33x+5=2x+8⇒3x−2x=8−5⇒x=3.
3. Solving Inequalities
● One-Step Inequalities: Use the same rules as equations, but remember to flip the
inequality symbol when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
○ Example: x+4>10⇒x>6x + 4 > 10 \Rightarrow x > 6x+4>10⇒x>6.
● Graphing Solutions: Represent solutions on a number line (open circle for strict
inequalities, closed circle for inclusive inequalities).
● Compound Inequalities:
○ Example: x>3x > 3x>3 and x<7x < 7x<7 means 3<x<73 < x < 73<x<7.
4. Functions
● Definition: A function is a relation where each input (x-value) has exactly one output
(y-value).
● Function Notation: f(x)=2x+3f(x) = 2x + 3f(x)=2x+3.
○ To evaluate a function: f(2)=2(2)+3=7f(2) = 2(2) + 3 = 7f(2)=2(2)+3=7.
● Graphing Linear Functions:
○ Slope: The rate of change between two points on a line, calculated as
slope=y2−y1x2−x1\text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}slope=x2−x1y2−y1.
○ Slope-Intercept Form: y=mx+by = mx + by=mx+b, where mmm is the slope and
bbb is the y-intercept.
○ Graphing Steps:
1. Plot the y-intercept bbb.
2. Use the slope mmm to find another point (rise/run).
3. Draw the line.
5. Systems of Equations
● Solving by Substitution:
○ Solve one equation for one variable, and then substitute that expression into the
other equation.
● Solving by Elimination:
○ Add or subtract equations to eliminate one variable.
● Graphing:
○ Graph both equations and find the point of intersection (solution).
6. Polynomials
● Adding and Subtracting Polynomials:
○ Combine like terms (e.g., (3x2+2x)+(4x2−x)=7x2+x(3x^2 + 2x) + (4x^2 - x) = 7x^2
+ x(3x2+2x)+(4x2−x)=7x2+x).
● Multiplying Polynomials (Distributive Property or FOIL method):
○ Example: (x+2)(x+3)=x2+3x+2x+6=x2+5x+6(x + 2)(x + 3) = x^2 + 3x + 2x + 6 =
x^2 + 5x + 6(x+2)(x+3)=x2+3x+2x+6=x2+5x+6.
● Factoring Polynomials:
○ Look for common factors (e.g., 3x2+6x=3x(x+2)3x^2 + 6x = 3x(x +
2)3x2+6x=3x(x+2)).
○ Factor quadratics: ax2+bx+c=(px+q)(rx+s)ax^2 + bx + c = (px + q)(rx +
s)ax2+bx+c=(px+q)(rx+s).
7. Quadratic Equations
● Standard Form: ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0ax2+bx+c=0.
● Factoring Quadratics: Factor into two binomials.
○ Example: x2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3)x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)x2+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3).
● The Quadratic Formula: x=−b±b2−4ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 -
4ac}}{2a}x=2a−b±b2−4ac.
○ Use when factoring is difficult or impossible.
● Graphing Quadratic Functions:
○ Vertex Form: y=a(x−h)2+ky = a(x - h)^2 + ky=a(x−h)2+k where (h,k)(h, k)(h,k) is
the vertex.
○ Parabola: The graph of a quadratic is a U-shaped curve (opens up if a>0a >
0a>0, down if a<0a < 0a<0).
8. Rational Expressions
● Simplifying Rational Expressions:
○ Factor numerator and denominator, then cancel out common factors.
● Multiplying and Dividing:
○ Multiply numerators and denominators separately.
○ Divide by multiplying by the reciprocal.
● Adding and Subtracting:
○ Find a common denominator before adding or subtracting.
9. Exponents and Radicals
● Laws of Exponents:
○ xa×xb=xa+bx^a \times x^b = x^{a+b}xa×xb=xa+b.
○ xaxb=xa−b\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b}xbxa=xa−b.
○ (xa)b=xa⋅b(x^a)^b = x^{a \cdot b}(xa)b=xa⋅b.
● Simplifying Radicals:
○ 25=5\sqrt{25} = 525=5.
○ Simplify expressions like 8=22\sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}8=22.
10. Word Problems
● Setting up Equations: Translate the given information into an equation, then solve.
○ Example: "The sum of a number and 5 is 12." x+5=12x + 5 = 12x+5=12.
● Solving for Variables: Identify what you need to find and use algebraic operations to
solve.
