Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

austin81 · 2005-10-12 01:31:32

How can Basic Algebra be introduced successful to year one students in secondary schools?
Can one start with
3bannanas+4bannanas=7bannanas
3pears+4pears=7pears
In general,3a+4a=7a?

MathsIsFun · 2005-10-12 09:46:57

Hey, Members, how did you learn Algebra? What worked best?

Zach · 2005-10-12 10:34:21

By going to my maths lessons.

Plus, I have a very useful ability to understand things quickly.

Last edited by Zach (2005-10-12 10:34:43)

MathsIsFun · 2005-10-13 09:46:10

I actually have a page "in production" that starts something like:

2 + ? = 6
What does the "?" equal?

Then I go on to say that it is better to put an "x" instead:

2 + x = 6
What does the "x" equal?

Jai Ganesh · 2005-10-13 16:29:16

I was first taught the difference between variables and constants.
Thereafter, the lessons were on simple operations of addition, division, multpilication, subtraction, extracting roots, exponentiation etc.
The next step was solving linear equations in one variable, simultaneous equations of two, three variables. A little later I learnt solving quadratic equations and their properties. I forgot to mention, I was also taught plotting graphs and solving equations with graphs.
The Binomial theorem was the last I was taught, and Pascal's triangle too.

austin81 · 2005-10-27 01:43:09

Thanks for the clues.

kafkan · 2006-03-17 09:52:04

this is my first time to use this forum, and i hope i will be ok for me

kafkan · 2006-03-17 09:55:29

math is hard not because it requires lots of figuring but because we take it to be something hard!

mathsyperson · 2006-03-17 11:00:27

When I first came across algebra, I tried to solve the equations with trial and error.
Later on, I drew a set of scales to visualise the fact that I needed to do the same to each side.
Then I did the same method, but without the drawing, just lots of lines of working.

And now I'm able to do all kinds of crazy algebra in my head.
Just take small steps at a time.

MathsIsFun · 2006-03-17 16:48:52

Hi kafkan, and welcome to the forum.

austin81 · 2012-10-16 00:11:54

Thanks for all the assistance you give students and teachers of Mathematics in this forum. We greatly appreciate that

austin81 · 2012-10-16 00:18:49

A number of books say we can use the substitution y=(m+1/m) to solve quartic equations that are symmetric i.e equations of the form ax^4 +bx^3+cx^2+bx+a=0, but do not talk much on quartic equations that are not symmetrical and are not easily factorised. The question is, are there other general methods of solving non-factorisable polynomial equations of degree greater than 3?

bobbym · 2012-10-16 00:25:42

Hi;

Welcome to the forum.

There are Descartes' and Ferrari's solutions for the general quartic but they are both difficult. There are no algebraic solutions for the general quintic or higher.

Download "First Course in the the Theory of Equations." It is free!

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29785

Down the page are the links.

Starting at page 56 of that book you will find everything you need.

If you need help with the examples he provides just post here.

ShivamS · 2012-10-16 09:23:53

I was taught adding variables in grade 4 and it seemed fairly easy. I was told that as long as the literal coefficients are the same, I can simply add and/or multiply the numerical coefficients depending on the operator.

austin81 · 2012-10-18 00:21:52

Thanks

bobbym · 2012-10-18 00:23:45

Hi austin81;

You are welcome. You will find several methods in that book,

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2005-10-12 01:31:32

Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#2 2005-10-12 09:46:57

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#3 2005-10-12 10:34:21

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#4 2005-10-13 09:46:10

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#5 2005-10-13 16:29:16

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#6 2005-10-27 01:43:09

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#7 2006-03-17 09:52:04

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#8 2006-03-17 09:55:29

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#9 2006-03-17 11:00:27

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#10 2006-03-17 16:48:52

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#11 2012-10-16 00:11:54

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#12 2012-10-16 00:18:49

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#13 2012-10-16 00:25:42

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#14 2012-10-16 09:23:53

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#15 2012-10-18 00:21:52

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

#16 2012-10-18 00:23:45

Re: Basic Algebra for Form1 students in secondary schl

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