What You’ll Find

Algebra is the mathematics of patterns, relationships, quantities, and change. It gives us a language for representing what we know, what we want to know, and how quantities relate to one another.

This course develops the conceptual foundations learners need to understand and use algebra with confidence.

Foundations of Algebra

Explore how algebra represents relationships and quantities. Learners develop an understanding of variables, constants, coefficients, expressions, equations, and the mathematical language used to communicate ideas.

Numbers & the Number System

Explore natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers—and how these number systems are connected. Learners develop a deeper understanding of number properties and how they support algebraic reasoning.

Variables & Changing Quantities

Understand variables as representations of quantities that may be unknown, changing, or dependent on other quantities. Explore independent and dependent variables and how they help us describe relationships mathematically.

Expressions & Equations

Explore how expressions represent quantities and how equations represent relationships between quantities. Learners develop strategies for simplifying expressions, solving equations, and interpreting the meaning of a solution.

Linear Relationships

Investigate relationships in which quantities change at a constant rate. Explore slope, rate of change, coefficients, x- and y-intercepts, and the structure of linear equations such as y = mx + b.

Graphing & Visualizing Relationships

Use coordinate planes, ordered pairs, tables, equations, and graphs to represent mathematical relationships. Explore how slope, intercepts, direction, and position communicate information about how quantities are related.

Modeling Real-World Situations

Use algebra to describe situations involving changing quantities and missing information. Learners identify known and unknown quantities, define variables, recognize constraints, and build expressions, equations, tables, and graphs that represent those situations.

Systems of Equations

Explore situations involving two relationships simultaneously. Learners represent systems graphically and algebraically and investigate how intersections identify values that satisfy both relationships.

Patterns, Constraints & Mathematical Reasoning

Investigate patterns, rules, constraints, and relationships between quantities. Learners develop the habit of asking:

What is changing? What remains constant? How are these quantities related? What information do I know, and what am I trying to determine?

Foundations for Higher Mathematics

These concepts provide a foundation for Geometry, Algebra 2, functions, trigonometry, calculus, physics, computer science, data analysis, and other fields that use mathematics to understand relationships and change.

Algebra gives us a way to describe patterns, represent relationships, and reason about the unknown.

Founding Learner Benefits

• Complete Algebra: Understanding the Why learning experience
• One private 30-minute Learning Clarity Session
• Ongoing access to future updates to this edition at no additional charge

Learn at your own pace while building a connected understanding of algebra. Move through the concepts in a way that allows time to explore patterns, make connections, revisit ideas, and develop a deeper understanding of how algebra describes relationships and change.

Have questions about Algebra: Understanding the Why or future self-paced offerings?

I’d be happy to help you decide whether the program is a good fit for your learner.