Does anyone know a quick way to learn algebra? And an easy way to teach it to a student?

Question

Can someone explain to me how to do algebra problems like -3 + 4+ -2 and the other problems where there is say a 2 with a little number beside it in the upper right corner.

Answer 1

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http://www.math.com/

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.webmath.com/

http://www.mathpower.com/

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

http://www.freemathhelp.com/

http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html

http://www.learningplanet.com/stu/kids0....

http://lgfl.skoool.co.uk/keystage3.aspx?...

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Answer 2

When first learning about variables, think of the as "blanks."  For example, x + 2 = 5 makes more sense to a student when thinking of it as "what plus 2 equals 5" or "blank plus 2 equals 5."

If you're talking about combining like terms, use the fast food example.  Here's how it works:  let's say 3 friends go to get fast food.  The first one orders 2 burgers and 1 fry.  The second orders 1 burger, 2 fries, and a soda.  The third orders 1 burger, 1 fry, and a soda (believe me this doesn't seem like such a roundabout thing when you're explaining it to someone instead of typing).  If we write there order down in numbers (using variables for the various items) it would look like this:

2b + 1f +1b +2f + 1s + 1b + 1f + 1s

however, when Joe Shmoe teenager sends the order to the back to be put together, he would say "I need 2 burgers, 1 fry, 1 burger, 2 fries, 1 soda, 1 burger, 1 fry, and 1 soda.  It would make more sense to combine the like items (just as with like terms in algebra).  The simpler way to place the order would be:

(2b + 1b + 1b) + (1f + 2f +1f) + (1s +1s)

or

4b +4f + 2s

There are lots more tricky ideas to help algebra make sense to students.  Without knowing exactly what you're trying to explain, it's hard to help!  Maybe give us a litle more detail and I can share some more ideas.