Beginning Algebra: Real Numbers, Algebraic Expressions, Linear Equations & Graphs

Beginning Algebra was originally published by Williamsville Publishing Company as part of their popular audio-visual Tape ‘n Text Math Series. Material in the series was submitted for review in "The Mathematics Teacher" and received praise: “The development was well done.” This paperback is intended for classroom teachers, students and as a reference book for libraries and learning centers. Elementary algebra includes the study of basic operations found in arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. What’s new is that letters of the alphabet (called variables) are introduced to stand for numbers like in business formulas that are used to calculate interest. The letters, called variables stand for numbers such as integers 1, 2, 3 or decimal numbers such as .5, 1.5, 2.7 etc. The basic rules of arithmetic apply in elementary algebra. However, new concepts are added to arithmetic such as: reasoning about relationships, generalizations about these relationships and the application of logical thinking. Sometimes math textbooks present an overwhelming amount of information on a given topic. In this book we have simplified explanations and also give examples that are easier to comprehend. Also, new information is presented in short sections with immediate testing. This form of personalized instruction is often used in on-line Internet based courses for distance learning. A small amount of information is presented in each section before advancing to the next section. Exercises are listed after several sections followed by the answer key. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: William Parks, B.S., M.S., Ed.M., taught secondary level mathematics in private and public high schools in New York for five years. He taught community college mathematics and computer science for 25 years in New York, Tennessee, Maryland and Arizona. He was a computer science degree program developer at four colleges: SUNY Colleges at Buffalo and Fredonia, Elon University and D'Youville College. He was technical editor for "Personal Computing" and "PC AI" magazines.