Algebra

Together with geometry, analysis, and number theory, algebra is one of the several main branches of mathematics. Elementary algebra is usually part of the curriculum in early high school and provides an introduction to the basic ideas of algebra, including effects of adding and multiplying numbers, the concept of variable, definition of polynomials, along with factorization and determining their roots. However, algebra is much broader than this. In addition to working directly with numbers, algebra covers working with symbols, variables, and set elements. Addition and multiplication are viewed as general operations, and their precise definitions lead to structures such as groups, rings and fields.

Most students at the high school level are being exposed only to elementary algebra—its most basic form. It is taught to students who are presumed to have no knowledge of mathematics beyond the basic principles of arithmetic. In arithmetic, only numbers and their arithmetical operations (such as +, -, ×, ÷) occur; in algebra, numbers are often denoted by symbols (such as a, x, y). This is useful because:

  • It allows the general formulation of arithmetical laws (such as a + b = b + a for all a and b), and thus is the first step to a systematic exploration of the properties of the real number system.
  • It allows the reference to "unknown" numbers, the formulation of equations and the study of how to solve these (for instance, Find a number x such that 3x + 1 = 10").
  • It allows the formulation of functional relationships (such as "If you sell x tickets, then your profit will be 3x - 10 dollars, or f(x) = 3x - 10, where f is the function, and x is the number the function is performed on.").

Additional information:

For a much better overview and history of algebra, go to the

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Algebra 1 - BJU Subject Kit
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 9th grade
in BJU Subject Kits (Location: WH-BJUK)
$208.55
Algebra 1 - Student Textbook
from A Beka Books
for 9th-10th grade
in A Beka Arithmetic & Mathematics (Location: MAT-ABK)
$30.00 (2 in stock)
Algebra 2 Flipper
from Christopher Lee Publications
for 9th-Adult
in Math Flippers (Location: MATR-FLIP)
Algebra Book 1
by Stephen B. Jahnke
from Garlic Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Algebra Book 2
by Stephen B. Jahnke
from Garlic Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Algebra I Word Problems
by Anita Harnadek
from Critical Thinking Books
for 7th-12th grade
in Critical Thinking Math (Location: MAT-CTP)
$29.99
Algebra the Easy Way
by Douglas Downing
5th edition from Barron's
for 8th-12th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$16.99
Algebra To Go
from Great Source
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in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$32.35 $12.50 (1 in stock)
Algebra: The x and y of Everyday Math
by Michael Willers
from Metro Books
for 9th-12th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Art of Problem Solving Intermediate Algebra - Text & Solutions
by Naoki Sato, Richard Rusczyk, Matthew Crawford
from Art of Problem Solving
for 8th-12th grade
in Art of Problem Solving (Location: MAT-AoPS)
$74.00
Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Algebra - Textbook & Solutions Manual
by Richard Rusczyk
2nd edition from Art of Problem Solving
for 8th-10th grade
in Art of Problem Solving (Location: MAT-AoPS)
$67.00
Cliffs Quick Review: Algebra I
by Jerry Bobrow
1st edition from Cliffs Notes
for 9th-11th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Dr. Math Explains Algebra
by The Math Forum
from Jossey-Bass
for 7th-9th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Elementary Algebra
by Harold Jacobs
from W. H. Freeman and Company
for 8th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$45.00 (5 in stock)
Elementary Algebra
by Harold Jacobs
Rev ed. from Master Books
for 8th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$68.79 $56.00 (1 in stock)
Elementary Algebra - DVD
by Cassidy Cash
from Master Books
for 8th-10th grade
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$76.79
Elementary Algebra - Solutions Manual
by Harold Jacobs & Cassidy Cash
Sol from Master Books
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$27.99 $25.00 (1 in stock)
Elementary Algebra - Teacher Guide
by Harold Jacobs
from W. H. Freeman and Company
for 8th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Elementary Algebra - Teacher Guide
by Harold Jacobs
2021 Printing from Master Books
for 8th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$31.99 $24.00 (1 in stock)
Elementary Algebra - Teacher Guide / Solutions Manual
by Harold Jacobs
2023 Printing from Master Books
for 8th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
Great Courses - Algebra I set
Great Courses
by Prof. James A. Sellers
from The Teaching Company
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$50.00 (1 in stock)
Harold Jacobs Elementary Algebra - Book Set
from Master Books
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$128.78
Harold Jacobs Elementary Algebra - DVD Package
from Master Books
for 8th-10th grade
in Harold Jacobs Mathematics (Location: MAT-MB3)
$205.56
Humongous Book of Algebra Problems
by W. Michael Kelley
from Alpha Books
for 7th-10th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Learn Math Fast System Volume V
by J. K. Mergens
2nd edition from Learn Math Fast Books
for 9th-11th grade
in Math Reference & Teaching Aids (Location: MATR-TA)
Learn Math Fast System Volume VI
by J. K. Mergens
3rd edition from Learn Math Fast Books
for 9th grade
in Math Reference & Teaching Aids (Location: MATR-TA)
Learn Math Fast System Volume VII
by J. K. Mergens
2nd edition from Learn Math Fast Books
for 9th grade
in Math Reference & Teaching Aids (Location: MATR-TA)
Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra
Life of Fred
by Stanley Schmidt
Expanded edition from Polka Dot Publishing
for 8th-10th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$49.00 $25.00 (1 in stock)
Life of Fred: Pre-Algebra 1 with Biology
by Stanley F. Schmidt
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 6th-9th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$39.00 $26.00 (1 in stock)
Life of Fred: Pre-Algebra 2 with Economics
by Stanley F. Schmidt
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 7th-10th grade
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$39.00 $26.00 (1 in stock)
Mastering Algebra Skills
by Hal Torrance
from Mark Twain Media
for 6th-Adult
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Math Without Borders Algebra 1
by David S. Chandler
from Math Without Borders
in Math Without Borders (Location: MAT-MBB)
$129.00
Math Without Borders Algebra 2
by David S. Chandler
from Math Without Borders
for 9th-11th grade
in Math Without Borders (Location: MAT-MBB)
$129.00
Painless Algebra
by Lynette Long, Ph.D.
5th edition from Barron's
for 9th-11th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
$12.99
Pre-Algebra Book 1
Straight Forward Math Series
by S. Harold Collins
from Garlic Press
for 7th-9th grade
in Algebra (Location: MATR-ALG)
Saxon Algebra 1 - Home School Bundle with Teacher CD
3rd edition from Saxon Publishers
for 9th-10th grade
in Saxon Math (Location: MAT-SAX)
Saxon Algebra 1/2 - Home School Bundle with Teacher CD
3rd edition from Saxon Publishers
for 8th-9th grade
in Saxon Math (Location: MAT-SAX)
Tables, Squares & Cubes
2nd edition from Classical Conversations
for 4th-12th grade
in Classical Conversations (Location: CUR-CC)
$5.99
Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 - Complete Set
Version 2.0 from Teaching Textbooks
for 9th-10th grade
in Teaching Textbooks (Location: MAT-TT)
Trivium Tables: Whiteboard
from Classical Conversations
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in Classical Conversations (Location: CUR-CC)
$12.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Understanding Algebra I
by Terri Husted
from Critical Thinking Books
for 7th-9th grade
in Mathematical Reasoning (Location: MAT-CTR)
$39.99
VideoText Algebra: Modules A-C
from VideoText
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in VideoText Interactive Algebra (Location: MAT-VTIA)
$195.00 (1 in stock)