Q&A for How to Learn Algebra

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What are the basics of algebra?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Basic math skills you learned in elementary or primary school are the fundamentals of algebra. This includes concepts like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
  • Question
    How do I solve x + 13 = 24?
    Community Answer
    Subtract 13 from both sides to get x by itself. That makes the equation: x = 24 - 13 or: x = 11.
  • Question
    Would 8X + 9 be the same as 8x X 9?
    Community Answer
    No, because the first equation asks for addition and the second equation asks for multiplication.
  • Question
    How can I create interest in learning algebra?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Algebra is a good tool for solving mathematical puzzles and situations that may arise in real life. Think about how you could apply it to your daily life.
  • Question
    What is 3x² - 5x - 1 = 0?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use the quadratic formula, [-b +/- √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a. To solve for x, evaluate the formula with a = 3, b = -5, and c = -1.
  • Question
    How do I solve questions like : 3x + 4 = 6x - 7?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Isolate the variable on one side of the equation and the constant on the other side. In this example, subtract 3x from both sides, leaving no x on the left side and 3x on the right side. Then add 7 to both sides, leaving no constant on the right side and 11 on the left side. Then divide both sides by the remaining coefficient of the variable. That leaves 11/3 on the left side and x on the right side. 11/3 is the value of x. Check the answer by substituting 11/3 for each x in the original equation and seeing that each side of the equation equals the other side. In this example, (3)(11/3) + 4 = 15, and (6)(11/3) - 7 also equals 15.
  • Question
    How do I solve for x in exponential equations?
    Community Answer
    Is x the exponent or the base? If it is the base, you will most likely have to factor it or use the quadratic equation. If the x is cubed, there are formulas you can memorize. If it raised to the fourth power, it often cannot be done by hand, unless by factoring. If x is the exponent, you have to use logarithms.
  • Question
    How do I simplify this? 7 (b-1)-(8-b)
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Multiply (b-1) by 7. Then subtract (8-b), which means you subtract 8 and add b.
  • Question
    How would I solve: 9d - 3 = 5d + 17.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Subtract 5d from both sides, and add 3 to both sides: 4d = 20. Divide both sides by 4: d = 5.
  • Question
    How do I solve 3.3³?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    That's (3.3)(3.3)(3.3) = (10.89)(3.3) = 35.937.
  • Question
    How do I learn to plot integers on a number line?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Place positive integers to the right of zero, negative integers to the left of zero. For example, +17 is positioned 17 units to the right of zero, and -9 is positioned 9 units to the left of zero.
  • Question
    If z = y/x, z = 4.0 and y = 5.6, what is x?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    z = 4.0 = y/x = 5.6 / x. So 4x = 5.6, and x = 1.4.
  • Question
    How do I solve -7 (9x - 11)?
    Community Answer
    Because this is not an equation, it can't be "solved." All you can do is perform the indicated multiplication: (-7)(9x - 11) = -63x + 77.
  • Question
    How do I to solve for x if it's found on both sides of the equation?
    Daniel
    Community Answer
    Combine both like terms, then begin solving. Depending on the problem, this will generate either a single-step, double-step, or multi-step equation. If something such as 2(x + 3) appears, distribute the 2 to both x and 3 (use multiplication) and you'll get 2x + 6. Then combine the like terms.
  • Question
    If x/y-y/x=3 then find the value x8+y8/x4y4?
    Community Answer
    I assume you mean (x^8 + y^8) / (x^4 y^4)? The trick to this one is to exploit the symmetry in the expressions and try to get to the answer directly (without trying to solve for either x or y). There are other valid approaches, but this sort of problem is usually found on exams with too brisk of a time limit for raising irrational numbers to the 8th power by hand. Start by squaring your given equation to x^2/y^2 + y^2/x^2 - 2 = 9. Add 2 to combine the constants and square it again to x^4/y^4 + y^4 / x^4 + 2 = 121. So x^4 / y^4 + y^4 / x^4 = 119 = (x^8 + y^8) / x^4 y^4.
  • Question
    Does these methods apply to kids in primary school?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Algebra is not typically introduced in primary school. (Something often called "pre-algebra" may be introduced, but not algebra.) If by the time you leave primary school you understand most of the concepts shown in Part 1 above, you should be ready for algebra.
  • Question
    If 2x +3 =7, what is x?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    2x + 3 = 7. Subtract 3 from both sides: 2x = 4. Divide both sides by 2: x = 2.
  • Question
    Is 9x - 4 the same as 9x + (-4)?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Adding a negative 4 is the same thing as subtracting a (positive) 4.
  • Question
    What do you do when you have an exponent next to a square root, as shown in "Canceling Exponents"?
    Community Answer
    If you're asking how to get rid of a radical sign in an equation, the above article does a pretty good job of explaining it. To get rid of a square root, square it. To get rid of a cube root, cube it. To get rid of a fourth root, raise it to the fourth power, and so on. For example, if the fifth root of x equals 2, you would solve for x by raising both sides of the equation to the fifth power. On one side of the equation, the fifth root of x raised to the fifth power is x. On the other side of the equation, the fifth power of 2 is 32. So x = 32.
  • Question
    Is algebra harder to master than other mathematical skills?
    Community Answer
    Not really. As with any skill, it just takes practice.
  • Question
    How do you solve a problem like 6a-12?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    You can't "solve" this because it's not an equation. This, however, can be factored into 6(a - 2).
  • Question
    How do I solve for x: (5e^3)(11y^7)(7x^2) = 7812 - 32?
    Community Answer
    Because that is an equation with three variables in it, all you can do is solve for x in terms of e and y (meaning that e and y will appear in the solution, and you won't have a numerical solution, since e and y do not have specific values). The solution, such as it is, involves first performing the subtraction on the right side of the equation, then dividing both sides of the equation by the two non-x factors on the left side. Then divide both sides by 7, leaving only x² on the left side. Finally, take the square root of each side, and you'll have the value of x on the right side. (The value will be "±.")
  • Question
    How do I know when to add or subtract to find variable?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Do whatever it takes to "isolate" the variable (that is, to let it stand alone on one side of the equals sign). A simple example of solving for x: x+4 = 0. Subtract 4 from both sides: x = -4. Another example: x-5 = 2. Add 5 to both sides: x = 7.
  • Question
    I am behind in math and am struggling. What is the easiest way to learn 8th grade pre-algebra?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    There's really no "easy" way to do it. It's a matter of working hard until you understand the concepts. If you've been struggling, you would probably benefit from some tutoring. Ask for help from a teacher, a friend or a family member, or get a recommendation for a tutor with a demonstrated ability to explain concepts clearly.
  • Question
    67,000,000=X-5500Y my equation is like this, who can assist to resolve and get the value of Y?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Add 5500y to both sides of the equation, and subtract 67,000,000 from both sides. Now you have 5500y = x - 67,000,000. Then divide both sides by 5500 to get y = (x - 67,000,000) / 5500. That's as far as you can go without knowing the value of x.
  • Question
    What's the purpose of algebra?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Algebra is an attempt to solve problems that involve unknown quantities. It is often used in scientific, technological and industrial applications.
  • Question
    How much algebra do they do in colleges if I'm not majoring in math?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Because algebra is taught in high school, colleges don't usually address the subject unless it's part of a remedial course.
  • Question
    Can I learn algebra 2 in 1 month?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You might if you're really motivated.
  • Question
    I'm in sixth grade and I love math. Is there any way I can learn algebra without waiting to have it at school supposedly next year?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Buy or borrow a beginning-algebra textbook. They're available on Amazon and at bookstores and libraries.
  • Question
    How can I solve a simultaneous equation?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article