Algebra 1 Fundamentals
Summer Assignment 2015
The following packet contains topics and definitions that you will be required to know in order to
succeed in Algebra 1 Fundamentals this year. You are advised to be familiar with each of the
concepts and to complete the included problems by September 3, 2015. All of these topics were
discussed in Math 8 and C.P. Algebra I, and will be used frequently throughout the year.
1
Section 1: Order of Operations
P arenthesis
E xponents
M ultiplication
D ivision
A ddition
S ubtraction
Example:
Simplify the following:
(18 + 4)
− 3(10 ∙ 2 − 3 ∙ 6)
2
Work inside first set of parenthesis first
=
22
− 3(10 ∙ 2 − 3 ∙ 6)
2
Work inside second set of parenthesis by multiplying first
=
22
− 3(20 − 18)
2
Continue to work inside second set of parenthesis by subtracting
=
22
− 3(2)
2
Divide the fraction
= 11 − 3(2)
Multiply
= 11 − 6
Subtract
=5
2
Now complete the following problems:
1)
4)
7)
10)
4 + 6(8)
14 + 6  23 – 8  22
(3.4)(2.7) + 5
2.4+3.5
∙
.7
2
2)
5)
4(8−2)
3)
3+9
3 + 4[13 – 2(6 – 3)]
8) (6.88 ÷ 2) − (9.3 − 9.03)
11)
4  32 + 2
2
3
13 − 4 ∙ 4
3
6)
3(
6+12
2
)
9) (.9 + 1.1)2 − (112 − 117)
12)
3
4
1
1
÷ (2)2 + 2
Section 2: Real Number Comparison
An Inequality is a mathematical sentence that compares the value of two expressions using an
inequality symbol.
Inequality
Symbol
<
≤
>
≥
≠
Pronounced
Example
Less than
Less than or equal to
Greater than
Greater than or equal to
Not equal to
4<9
−3 ≤ 2
−4 > −7
5≥5
7 ≠ 11
When comparing two numbers with an inequality symbol, it can be useful to plot both numbers
on a number line. By plotting both numbers on a number line, you can see which number is
greater simply by seeing which number is further to the right.
Example: Fill in the blank with the correct inequality symbol ( < , > )
−𝟕____ − 𝟐
First plot a point on each
number on a number line
−𝟕 < −2
--------------------------------
Since -2 is further to the right, it
is the larger number, therefore
you use a less than sign because
-7 is less than -2
HINT: When comparing fractions you can either get a common denominator to compare, or
convert the fraction(s) to decimals then compare.
4
Example:
Which is greater, or
?
Since the LCM of 9 and 12 is 36, the LCD of the fractions is 36.
Since
16
15
> 36,
36
4
9
5
> 12
Use <, =, > to compare the following sets of numbers:
1) 2 ____ 6
2) −12 ____ − 15
4) 0.63 ___ 0.6
5) 𝟗 ____ 0.88
𝟖
3) 2 ____ − 1
6) -1.45 ___ 1.45
5
7)
2
3
____
1
3
8) 4 ____
6
12
9) −2
16
5
8
1
____ − 2 2
Section 3: Variables and Verbal Expressions
Write each phrase as an algebraic expression.
Phrase
Expression
nine increased by a number x
9+x
fourteen decreased by a number p 14 - p
seven less than a number t
t-7
the product of 9 and a number n
9 · n or 9n
thirty-two divided by a number y
32 ÷ y or
Write an algebraic expression for each phrase.
1. 7 increased by x
2.
p multiplied by 3
3. 10 decreased by m
4.
n less than 7
5. the product of 2 and q
6.
3 more than m
7. the difference of 8 and a number
8.
the sum of 4 and a number
9. the product of 2 and a number
10.
3 increased by a number
6
11. 10 plus the quotient of a number and 15
12.
12 less than a number
Section 4: Evaluating Algebraic Expressions
A variable is a letter, for example x, y or z, that represents an unspecified number.
To evaluate an algebraic expression, you have to substitute a number for each variable and
perform the arithmetic operations.
Example:
Calculate the following expression for x = 3 and z = 2
6𝑧 + 4𝑥 = ?
Solution: Replace x with 3 and z with 2 to evaluate the expression. (Be sure to use parenthesis
when you substitute!)
6𝑧 + 4𝑥 = ?
6(2) + 4(3) = ?
12 + 12 = 24
Evaluate each expression for the given values.
1) 𝑥𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 5
2) 2 + 𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 3
3) 10 − 𝑟 + 5 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟 = 9
4) 𝑚 + 𝑛 ÷ 6 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚 = 12 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 = 18
5) 4𝑚 + 3 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚 = 5
6) 35 − 3𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 10
7
7) 3𝑎𝑏 − 𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 = 4, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐 = 5
8)
𝑎𝑏
2
+ 4𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 = 6, 𝑏 = 5, 𝑐 = 3
Section 5: Solving One- Step Equations
A one-step equation is as straightforward as it sounds. You will only need to perform one step
in order to solve the equation. The goal in solving an equation is to only have a variable on one
side of the equal sign and numbers on the other side of the equal sign.
The strategy for getting the variable by itself involves using opposite operations. The most
important thing to remember in solving a linear equation is that whatever you do to one side of
the equation, you MUST do to the other side. So if you subtract a number from one side, you
MUST subtract the same value from the other side. You will see how this works in the examples.
Example:
Solve −2 = k − 14.
Example:
Solve
𝑥
−7
= 15.
Example:
Solve
816 = 8c.
8
Solve the following one-step equations:
1) 𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝟔
2) 𝒚 + 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟑. 𝟕
4)
𝟑
𝟒
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐
5)
𝟏
𝟒
𝟓
3) 𝟐𝒂 = 𝟐𝟐
6)
𝒙=𝟖
𝒙
𝟑
=𝟑
Section 6: Solving Two-Step Equations
When solving a two-step equation, you will need to perform two steps in order to solve the
equation.
The goal in solving a two step equation is the same as in solving a one step: to only have a
variable on one side of the equal sign and numbers on the other side of the equal sign.
The strategy for getting the variable by itself with a coefficient of 1 involves using opposite
operations. The most important thing to remember in solving a linear equation is that whatever
you do to one side of the equation, you MUST do to the other side. So if you subtract a number
from one side, you MUST subtract the same value from the other side. You will see how this
works in the examples.
In solving two-step equations you will make use of the same techniques used in solving one-step
equation only you will perform two operations rather than just one. (Note: you should always
add or subtract first, then multiply or divide)
Example:
Solve
𝑛
5
− 7 = −9.
Example:
Solve 125 + 3b = 154.97.
9
Solve the following two-step equations:
𝒂
2) −𝟏 = 𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙
1) 𝟏 + 𝟓 = −𝟏
4)
𝟓
𝟏
𝒙+𝟕=𝟑
𝟕
5)
𝟏
𝟑
𝟓
𝒙−𝟒=𝟖
𝟒
3)
𝒙
𝟑
−𝟗=𝟎
6) 𝟎. 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟗. 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎
Section 7: Multi-Step Equations
When solving a multi-step equation, you will need to perform more than two steps in order to
solve the equation.
The goal in solving a multi-step equation is the same as in solving a one-step or a two-step: to
only have a variable on one side of the equal sign and numbers on the other side of the equal
sign.
The strategy for getting the variable by itself with a coefficient of 1 involves using opposite
operations. The most important thing to remember in solving a linear equation is that whatever
you do to one side of the equation, you MUST do to the other side. So if you subtract a number
from one side, you MUST subtract the same value from the other side. You will see how this
works in the examples.
In solving multi-step equations you will make use of the same techniques used in solving onestep equations and two-step equations, only you will perform more than two operations (Note: you
should always simplify each side separately first, then add or subtract, and lastly multiply or
divide)
Example #1
Solve the following multi-step equation:
𝟑𝒙 + 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟓
<------------------------------
𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟓 <---------------------------------
You should always simplify each side separately
first.
On the left hand side you can combine like terms
by adding 3x and x.
Now that the left hand side is fully simplified, you
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should check the right hand side. Because it is also
simplified, you can now solve like you would for a
2-step equation.
𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 + 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟓 + 𝟏𝟓 <----------------------
Now add 15 to both sides.
𝟒𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎
÷𝟒 ÷𝟒
Lastly, divide both sides by 4.
<---------------------------------------
So x = 5
x=5
Example #2
Solve the following multi-step equation:
𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟏) + 𝟑 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐 + 𝒙
<-----------------
You should always simplify each side separately
first.
On the left hand side you should use the
distributive property first.
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟐 + 𝟑 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐 + 𝒙 <------------------ The left hand side is not fully simplified yet, so you
should combine like terms. (Note: it is -2 + 3 = 1)
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐 + 𝒙 <----------------------
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟐
−𝟓𝒙
− 𝟓𝒙
<----------------------------
Since the left hand side if fully simplified, you
should simplify the right hand side by combining
like terms. (Note: 4x + 1x = 5x)
Now that both sides are fully simplified, you
should combine the variables so they are on one
side. To do this you should subtract 5x from
BOTH sides.
You should recognize this as a two-step equation. It
−𝟑𝒙 + 𝟏 = −𝟐 <--------------------------------- is solved using the procedures from Section 6.
-1
-1 <--------------------------------- Subtract 1 from BOTH sides.
−𝟑𝒙 = −𝟑
÷ −𝟑 ÷ −𝟑
<-----------------------------
Now divide BOTH sides by -3
So x = -1
x = -1
Solve the following multi-step equations:
1) 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝒙 + 𝟏𝟑
2) 𝟕(𝟑 − 𝒌) = −𝟑𝒌 + 𝟒
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3)
𝟗 = −𝟒𝒚 + 𝟔𝒚 − 𝟓
4) 𝟑(𝒙 + 𝟐) − 𝟐 = 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟔
𝟏
𝟏
5) − 𝟐 𝒅 + 𝟐 = −𝟒(𝒅 − 𝟐)
6) 𝟒. 𝟓 − 𝒙 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟓. 𝟕)
Section 8: Plotting on the Coordinate Plane
You can graph a point on a coordinate plane. Use an ordered pair (x, y) to record the coordinates.
The first number in the pair is the x-coordinate. The second number is the y-coordinate.
To graph a point, start at the origin, O. Move horizontally according
to the value of x. Move vertically according to the value of y.
Example 1: Plot the ordered pair (4, -2)
Start at O, move right 4, then down 2.
Example 2: Plot the ordered pair (-5, 4)
Start at O, move left 5, then up 4.
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List the ordered pair for each letter, then name
the Quadrant the point lies in.
1) P = ( , ) Quadrant _______
2) B = ( , ) Quadrant _______
3) K = ( , ) Quadrant _______
4) A = ( , ) Quadrant _______
5) F = ( , ) Quadrant _______
6) D = ( , ) Quadrant _______
Plot the following ordered pairs on the
coordinate plane at right and label with the
corresponding letter:
7) H = ( -2 , 2 )
8) W = ( 0 , 0 )
9) S = (-2, -2 )
10) J = ( 2 , 2 )
11) P = ( -1 , -3 )
12) C = ( 1 , -3 )
13) V = ( 2 , -2 )
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Section 8: Graphing lines in Slope Intercept Form
Slope Intercept Form of a line is: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
Where m is the slope ( 𝑟𝑢𝑛 ) and b is the y-intercept (where the graph crosses the y-axis)
To graph an equation in slope intercept form, you first must identify what m and b are, then you
will use these two values of m and b to graph the line.
Example:
Graph the following equation:
𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟒
𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃 <---------------3
𝑚=1
𝑏 = −4 <------------
First, write slope-intercept form under the equation.
Identify m and b (Note that since m was a whole number, we
put it over 1 so it’s a fraction)
How to graph:
You should always graph b first. b is the y-intercept so you
either move up or down. Since b = -4 you move down 4
and put a dot.
Now you count your slope. The top number tells you how
far up or down, the bottom number tells you how far left
or right.
Then put another dot.
Lastly, connect the dots with a line.
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Graph the following lines in slope intercept form.
1)𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙
𝟓
4) 𝒚 = 𝟒 − 𝟑
𝟐
2) 𝒚 = − 𝟑 𝒙 + 𝟒
3) 𝒚 = −𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑
5) 𝒙 = −𝟑
6) 𝒚 = 𝟒
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