### Algebra Notes
- **Definition of Algebra**:
- A branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating
those symbols.
- Focuses on relationships between quantities, often represented as
**variables**.
- **Key Concepts**:
- **Variables**: Symbols (often letters) that represent numbers or values in
equations and expressions.
- **Constants**: Fixed values that do not change.
- **Expressions**: Combinations of variables, constants, and operators (e.g., \
(3x + 5\)).
- **Equations**: Mathematical statements asserting the equality of two
expressions (e.g., \(2x + 3 = 7\)).
- **Inequalities**: Mathematical statements expressing a relationship of greater
than or less than (e.g., \(x + 5 > 10\)).
- **Basic Operations**:
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division applied to variables and
constants.
- **Order of Operations**: PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and
Division, Addition and Subtraction).
- **Types of Algebra**:
- **Elementary Algebra**: Basic operations and concepts, including solving linear
equations.
- **Abstract Algebra**: Studies algebraic structures such as groups, rings, and
fields.
- **Linear Algebra**: Focuses on vector spaces and linear mappings between them.
- **Linear Equations**:
- An equation that graphs as a straight line (e.g., \(y = mx + b\)).
- **Slope (m)**: Indicates the steepness of the line.
- **Y-intercept (b)**: The point where the line crosses the y-axis.
- **Quadratic Equations**:
- An equation in the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) where \(a \neq 0\).
- Can be solved using:
- **Factoring**: Expressing the equation as a product of binomials.
- **Quadratic Formula**: \(x = \frac{{-b \pm \sqrt{{b^2 - 4ac}}}}{{2a}}\).
- **Completing the Square**: Rewriting the equation in a perfect square form.
- **Functions**:
- A relation that assigns exactly one output for each input.
- **Domain**: Set of all possible input values.
- **Range**: Set of all possible output values.
- Common types include **linear**, **quadratic**, **polynomial**, **rational**,
**exponential**, and **logarithmic functions**.
- **Graphing**:
- Visual representation of equations or functions on a coordinate plane.
- **X-axis**: Horizontal axis.
- **Y-axis**: Vertical axis.
- **Coordinates**: (x, y) pairs representing points on the graph.
- **Systems of Equations**:
- A set of two or more equations with the same variables.
- Can be solved using:
- **Graphing**: Finding points of intersection.
- **Substitution**: Solving one equation for a variable and substituting it
into another.
- **Elimination**: Adding or subtracting equations to eliminate a variable.
- **Polynomials**:
- An expression consisting of variables raised to whole number powers and
coefficients (e.g., \(4x^3 + 2x^2 - x + 7\)).
- **Degree**: The highest power of the variable.
- **Factoring Polynomials**: Breaking down a polynomial into simpler components.
- **Exponents and Radicals**:
- **Exponents**: Indicate repeated multiplication (e.g., \(x^n\)).
- **Laws of Exponents**:
- \(a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}\)
- \(\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}\)
- \((a^m)^n = a^{mn}\)
- **Radicals**: Roots of numbers (e.g., \(\sqrt{x}\)).
- Simplifying expressions involving exponents and radicals.
- **Inequalities**:
- Expressions that show the relative size or order of two values.
- Solving involves similar techniques as equations but requires special attention
to the direction of the inequality when multiplying or dividing by negative
numbers.
- **Absolute Value**:
- The distance of a number from zero on the number line, denoted as \(|x|\).
- Equations involving absolute value can yield two cases.
- **Word Problems**:
- Translating real-world situations into algebraic expressions and equations.
- Identifying variables, constants, and relationships between quantities.
- **Applications of Algebra**:
- Used in various fields including science, engineering, economics, and everyday
problem-solving.
- Essential for understanding higher-level mathematics and concepts.
- **Important Vocabulary**:
- **Coefficient**: A numerical factor in a term of an expression.
- **Binomial**: A polynomial with two terms (e.g., \(x + 1\)).
- **Trinomial**: A polynomial with three terms (e.g., \(x^2 + x + 1\)).
- **Function Notation**: Representing functions as \(f(x)\).
- **Composite Function**: A function formed by combining two functions (e.g., \
(f(g(x))\)).
- **Inverse Function**: A function that reverses the effect of another function.
By focusing on these key aspects, one can gain a deeper understanding of algebra
and its foundational role in mathematics.
