Pre-algebra facts for kids
Prealgebra is a common name for a course in middle school mathematics in the United States, usually taught in the 7th grade or 8th grade. The objective of it is to prepare students for the study of algebra. Usually, algebra is taught in the 8th and 9th grade.
As an intermediate stage after arithmetic, prealgebra helps students pass specific conceptual barriers. Students are introduced to the idea that an equals sign, rather than just being the answer to a question as in basic arithmetic, means that two sides are equivalent and can be manipulated together. They also learn how numbers, variables, and words can be used in the same ways.
Subjects
Subjects taught in a prealgebra course may include:
- Review of natural number arithmetic
- Types of numbers such as integers, fractions, decimals and negative numbers
- Ratios and percents
- Factorization of natural numbers
- Properties of operations such as associativity and distributivity
- Simple (integer) roots and powers
- Rules of evaluation of expressions, such as operator precedence and use of parentheses
- Basics of equations, including rules for invariant manipulation of equations
- Understanding of variable manipulation
- Manipulation and plotting in the standard 4-quadrant Cartesian coordinate plane
- Powers in scientific notation (example: 340,000,000 in scientific notation is 3.4 × 108)
- Identifying Probability
- Solving Square roots
- Pythagorean Theorem
Prealgebra may include subjects from geometry, especially to further the understanding of algebra in applications to area and volume.
Prealgebra may also include subjects from statistics to identify probability and interpret data.
Proficiency in prealgebra is an indicator of college success. It can also be taught as a remedial course for college students.
See also
- Precalculus
- Mathematics education in the United States
