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- ALGEBRA, A SKILL-ORIENTED APPROACH
-
-
- CATALOG
-
-
- All exercises (except those in [intro]), can be adjusted by the user for levels
- of difficulty. Answers are provided in forms suitable to the classroom
- situation, i.e., fractions only (where applicable) with positive, rationalized
- denominators; no decimals.
-
- [intro] Introduction to algebra. This program provides the following
- exercises:
-
- 1. Axioms and postulates.
- 2. The real number system.
- 3. Order of operations.
- 4. Algebraic expressions.
- 5. A test covering all the areas outlined above. It is recommended
- this be an "open-book" test; i.e., student notebooks permitted.
-
- [isn] Signed number arithmetic, integers. This program pro- vides the
- following exercises, (75 line-items, each).
-
- 1. Addition, subtraction and mixed, addition and subtraction.
- 2. Multiplication, division and mixed, multiplication and division.
- 3. Sequenced operations, 15 items each in addition, subtraction
- multiplication and division. The last15 items are mixed addition
- and subtraction.
- 4. Random mix, all operations.
-
- [eqs1] Linear equations, one variable. Exercises are provided in the five
- options indicated below:
-
- 1. Ax + B = C or C = Ax + B
- 2. Ax + B = Cx + D
- 3. A(Bx + C) = Dx + E or Dx + E = A(Bx + C)
- 4. A(Bx + C) + D = E + F(G + Hx)
- 5. A two-page test with 24 items, sequenced in the same order listed
- above, and graduated in levels of difficulty.
-
- [xplot] Linear equations in two variables, plotting. These are simple
- exercises containing nine items each, comprising an introduction to
- linear equations in two variables. All equations are in the
- slope-intercept form:
-
- y = mx + b
-
- [lineqs] Linear equations, two variables. Options are as listed below:
-
- 1. Finding equations given the slopes or y-intercepts and one
- ordered pair of integers with--
-
- a. Slopes or y-intercepts given directly.
- b. Slopes or y-intercepts given indirectly.
-
- 2. Finding slopes or full equations given two ordered pairs of
- integers.
- 3. A two page test with all the options listed above.
-
- [simeqs] Simultaneous equations, two variables. All equations are given in
- standard form, e.g., Ax + By = C. *Options are as listed below:
-
- 1. Plotting two equations, finding "ntersection".
- 2. Finding intersections (solutions) by substitution.
- 3. Finding intersections by addition and subtraction.
- 4. Finding intersections by method of matrices.
- 5. Sequenced mix of all exercises listed above.
- 6. A two-page test with all the options listed above.
-
- *One further option is offered that generates equations in two, three or four
- variables. Non-independent sets are sometimes generated. The user must
- command small "coefficients" to increase this possibility. The program then
- checks for linear dependence and identifies sets with non-independent
- equations: no "solutions." Occasionally, these equations are used (at the
- board) to illustrate the power of the "matrix" method. Discretion is advised.
-
-
- [trifact] Quadratic equations, employing all variations except equations with complex solutions. Options follow:
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- 1. Multiplying binomials and monomials.
- 2. Factoring trinomials and binomials, (all factorable over the
- set of integers).
- 3. Solving factorable quadratic equations.
- 4. A two-page test with all the options as listed above.
-
- All exercises are offered with the additional options of positive or
- mixed (positive and negative) quadratic terms, factorable
- constants, or non-standard equations (where applicable).
-
-
- [f.eqs] Fractional equations. Five options offered as list below. The last
- type results in quadratic equations.
-
- Ax + B Dx + E C F
- 1. -------- = -------- or -------- = --------
- C F Ax + B Dx + E
-
- A
- 2. -------- + D = E
- Bx + C
-
- A
- 3. -------- + Dx = E
- Bx + C
-
- A C E A C
- 4. ---- + ---- = --- or ---- + ---- = E
- Bx Dx F Bx Dx
-
- A
- 5. -------- + D = Ex + F
- Bx + C
-
- 6. A two-page test with all the options listed above.
-
-
- [eqs1.d] Decimal equations. In the options listed below, all capital letters
- are decimal constants.
-
- 1. Ax + B = C or C = Ax + B
- 2. Ax + B = Cx + D
- 3. A(Bx + C) = Dx + E or Dx + E = A(Bx + C)
- 4. A two page test with all the options listed above.
-
-
- End of "Standard" Course
-
-
- It should be recalled that this course is not designed for "at or above"
- grade-level students. The remaining exercises can be extremely difficult (and
- therefore discouraging). This is particularly true of the "rationals." They
- should be used with discretion.
-
-
- [rfex] Rational fractions, exponentials. In all exercises exponents may be
- chosen positive, negative or both.
-
- 1. Multiplication, division or mixed, multiplication and division.
- 2. Addition, subtraction or mixed, addition and subtraction.
- 3. Line multiply, including "powers to powers."
- 4. Simplify.
- 5. Mixed exercises, all types, one page.
- 6. A two page test with all the options listed above.
-
- [rff] Rational fractions, factorables. Options follow:
-
- 1. Addition, subtraction or mixed, addition and subtraction.
- 2. Multiplication, division or mixed, multiplication and division.
- 3. Simplify.
- 4. Sequential mix, all types, one page.
- 5. A two page test with all the options listed above.
-
- [quad] Quadratic equations, standard forms, with real or comlex solutions,
- user's choice. In the public schools, this subject area is often
- deferred to advanced algebra.
-
-