The Tools of Algebra

More Specific Topics in The Tools of Algebra

Popular Tutorials in The Tools of Algebra

How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression?

Sometimes you have an algebraic expression with variables, and you know the values of those variables exactly, and you just need to plug in those values and get the value of the expression. Well, if that's what you have to do, then you've come to the right place, because this tutorial will show you exactly how to do it!
What are the Multiplication Properties of 0 and -1?

Understanding the multiplication properties of 0 and -1 are fundamental building blocks in learning all there is to know about the operation of multiplication. In this tutorial, you'll learn about these two important properties.
What are the Inverse Properties of Addition and Multiplication?

Inverse properties of addition and multiplication got you stumped? This tutorial should help! Check it out and learn these two important inverse properties.
How Do You Find the Absolute Value of Positive and Negative Numbers?

Finding the absolute value of a number is a breeze when you use a number line! Remember, absolute value is the distance from zero on the number line. This tutorial shows you how to use a number line to find absolute value.
What is the Commutative Property?

The commutative property is a fundamental building block of math, but it only works for addition and multiplication. This tutorial defines the commutative property and provides examples of how to use it.
What is an Identity?

Let's identify an identity! Addition and subtraction have a different identity than multiplication and division. Learn about each of these identities with this tutorial!
How Do You Translate a Phrase with One Variable and Number Into a Mathematical Expression?

Need some practice translating phrases into mathematical expressions? Then this tutorial is for you! You'll get practice translating statements involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division into mathematical expressions.
How Do You Plug Variables into an Algebraic Expression?

Plugging variables into an expression is essential for solving many algebra problems. See how to plug in variable values by watching this tutorial.
How Do You Use the Order of Operations?

If you're trying to simplify some math expressions, you have to do it in the right order. If you've ever wondered how to do that, check out this example tutorial where you'll see exactly what order you need to follow:)
What is a Variable?

You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!
What are Some Words You Can Use to Write Word Problems?

Knowing the mathematical meaning of words allows you to decipher word problems and gives you the power to write your own word problems, too! Take a look at these words and learn their mathematical translations.
What is the Associative Property?

The associative property is one of those fundamental properties of math that make math work. You probably take this property for granted because it's so ingrained, but it's important to see how the guts of math work, so check out the tutorial and make sure you're solid on your fundamentals!
What's the Order of Operations?

Check out this tutorial where you'll see exactly what order you need to follow when you simplify expressions. You'll also see what happens when you don't follow these rules, and you'll find out why order of operations is so important!
How Do You Do Long Division?

We know that calculators are everywhere, but that doesn't mean that long division isn't important! Sometimes you won't be allowed to use a calculator, and when those times occur, you'll be thankful that you watched this video!
What's a Dividend and What's a Divisor?

When you do division problems, you need to know the vocabulary that people use to describe what number is being divided, and what number is doing the dividing. This tutorial will help you keep that vocabulary straight!
What's an Inequality?

Inequalities come up all the time when you're working algebra problems. In this tutorial you'll learn what an inequality is, and you'll see all the common inequality symbols that you're likely to see :)
How Do You Multiply and Divide Numbers with Different Signs?

A positive times a positive is a positive. A negative times a negative is a positive. What about a negative times a positive? This tutorial gives you the answer by showing you how multiply (and divide!) with mixed signs.
How Do You Add a Negative Number to a Positive Number?

How do you combine a positive and a negative number? This tutorial shows you how. You even get to see it explained with a number line!
What is Absolute Value?

In this tutorial you'll see how you can think of absolute value in a very intuitive way. Let us know if you have any questions about it!
How Do You Figure Out the Sign of a Product or Quotient?

Multiplying and dividing numbers takes a good amount of thinking, and it's easy to make a mistake. But you can make sure that you're on the right track if you check whether the answer should be positive or negative. In this tutorial you'll see exactly how to tell if your answer will be positive or negative, even if you don't know the exact value of the answer. That way you'll always be able to check your answers!
How Do You Subtract a Positive Number from a Negative Number?

Subtracting a positive from a negative? Just remember: subtracting a positive is the same as adding a negative. See how it works in this tutorial!
How Do You Subtract a Negative Number from a Positive Number?

Subtracting a negative from a positive? Just remember: subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. See how it works in this tutorial!
How Do You Graph a Set on a Number Line?

Number lines are great ways to represent a group of numbers, and in this tutorial you'll see how to graph a group of numbers on a number line
What's an Integer?

There are lots of different kinds of numbers that you'll come across in algebra, and a lot of these kinds of numbers are related to each other. Before you learn how they are related, you've got to learn about them separately, and in this tutorial you'll how to define integers :)
How Do You Add and Subtract a Bunch of Numbers with Different Signs?

Some problems require adding and subtracting a combination of positive and negative numbers. Watch this tutorial and learn how to keep everything organized so you can find the answer!
How Do You Rewrite Subtraction as Addition?

Subtracting a positive is the same thing as adding a negative. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. Get a closer look with this tutorial!
How Do You Add Two Negative Numbers?

Adding two negative numbers together? Just add the absolute value of each number together, put a negative sign in front, and you have your answer! See how it's done in this tutorial.
Why Can't You Divide By 0?

Why can't you divide by 0? This may be one of the most asked math questions. Get this question answered once and for all by watching this tutorial!
How Do You Graph Points in the Coordinate Plane?

Knowing how to plot ordered pairs is an essential part of graphing functions. In this tutorial, you'll see how to take an ordered pair and plot it on the coordinate plane. Take a look!
How Do You Find the Domain and Range of a Relation?

Finding the domain and range of a relation? No problem! Watch this tutorial and learn how to find the domain and range of a relation.
How Do You Graph a Linear Equation?

Graphing a function? It would be really helpful if you had a table of values that fit your equation. You could plot those values on a coordinate plane and connect the point to make your graph. See it all in this tutorial!
What is an Ordered Pair?

Ordered pairs are a fundamental part of graphing. Ordered pairs make up functions on a graph, and very often, you need to plot ordered pairs in order to see what the graph of a function looks like. This tutorial will introduce you to ordered pairs!
What is the Origin?

The coordinate plane has two axes: the horizontal and vertical axes. These two axes intersect one another at a point called the origin. Learn about the ordered pair that indicates the origin and its location in the coordinate plane by watching this tutorial!
What is a Relation?

Got a set of ordered pairs? Then you have a relation! This tutorial takes a look at relations!
What is the Domain of a Relation?

Did you know that a relation has a domain? The domain of a relation is the set of the first coordinates from the ordered pairs. This tutorial defines the domain of a relation!
What is the Range of a Relation?

Did you know that a relation has a range? The range of a relation is the set of the second coordinates from the ordered pairs. This tutorial defines the range of a relation!
What is the Coordinate Plane?

You can't graph a function or plot ordered pairs without a coordinate plane! Learn about the coordinate plane by watching this tutorial.
What are Quadrants in the Coordinate Plane?

Did you know that there are four quadrants that help make up the coordinate plane? Learn about these quadrants, and what ordered pairs are located in each, by watching this tutorial!
What is the X-Coordinate?

Ordered pairs are a crucial part of graphing, but you need to know how to identify the coordinates in an ordered pair if you're going to plot it on a coordinate plane. In this tutorial, you'll see how to identify the x-coordinate in an ordered pair!
What is the Y-Coordinate?

Ordered pairs are a crucial part of graphing, but you need to know how to identify the coordinates in an ordered pair if you're going to plot it on a coordinate plane. In this tutorial, you'll see how to identify the y-coordinate in an ordered pair!
What is the X-Axis?

To graph a function or plot an ordered pair, you need to use a coordinate plane, so you should learn all about it! In this tutorial, you'll learn about the x-axis and see where it's located in the coordinate plane.
What is the Y-Axis?

To graph a function or plot an ordered pair, you need to use a coordinate plane, so you should learn all about it! In this tutorial, you'll learn about the y-axis and see where it's located in the coordinate plane.
How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression with One Variable?

If you have a value for a variable in an expression, you can evaluate that expression by plugging in that variable value and simplifying! Follow along with this tutorial to see the entire step-by-step process.
How Do You Evaluate an Algebraic Expression with Two Variables?

If you have an expression with two variables and you're given the values for those variables, you can plug those values into the expression and simplify to get the answer! This tutorial shows you the steps to plugging variable values into an expression and simplifying.
How Do You Complete a Table By Plugging in Values?

Learning how to complete a table of values is a building block of math. You can use a table to see a pattern or even make a graph! This tutorial shows you how to complete a table when you're given an expression and multiple values to plug in.
What Does Absolute Value Mean In the Real World?

You may know how to calculate the absolute value of a number, but what are you really finding? This tutorial uses a real world example to help you gain a better understanding of absolute value.
How Do You Identify Points on a Graph?

Plotting points on the coordinate plane is the foundation of graphing equations! But before you can graph equations, you should be very familiar with the coordinate plane. In this tutorial, you'll see how to identify the ordered pair of a point on the coordinate plane. Plus, see how to figure out which quadrant the point is in!
How Do You Graph Ordered Pairs in Each Quadrant?

Plotting points on the coordinate plane is the foundation for graphing equations! Check out this tutorial to get some practice plotting points and identifying which quadrant each point is in.
How Do You Determine if an Ordered Pair is a Solution to an Equation?

To figure out if an ordered pair is a solution to an equation, you could perform a test. Identify the x-value in the ordered pair and plug it into the equation. When you simplify, if the y-value you get is the same as the y-value in the ordered pair, then that ordered pair is indeed a solution to the equation. To see this process step-by-step, check out this tutorial!
How Do You Add Integers Using a Number Line?

Combining integers? You could use a number line to help find the answer! In this tutorial, see how to use a number line to add together integers with the same sign and ones with opposite signs. Take a look!
What is Multiplication?

Multiplying integers is just like performing a bunch of additions of the same integer! Check out this tutorial and see how much multiplying and repeated addition have in common.
How Do You Graph a Relation From a Table?

When you have a relation given as a table of x-values and y-values, it can sometimes be helpful to graph those points in order to get a visual representation of the relation. This tutorial will show you how to take values from a table and plot them on the coordinate plane!
How Do You Subtract Integers Using a Number Line?

Subtracting integers? You could use a number line to help find the answer! In this tutorial, see how to use a number line to subtract integers with the same sign and ones with opposite signs. Take a look!
How Do You Put Integers in Order Using a Number Line?

Putting numbers in order can help you better understand how the numbers are related. This tutorial shows you how to put positive and negative temperatures in order using a number line!
How Do You Compare Integers Using a Number Line?

Trying to figure out if a negative number is larger than another can be a little tricky. To make things easier, you could use a number line! This tutorial shows you how to use a number line to compare two negative numbers and determine which is larger.
How Do You Do Long Multiplication?

Multiplying together large numbers? No problem! In this tutorial, you'll see how to perform long multiplication to find the answer (without using a calculator!). Take a look!
How Do You Determine Which Operations to Use in a Word Problem?

Turning a word problem into a math problem you can solve can be tricky. Luckily, there's some key words to look out for in a word problem that help tell you what math operation to use! This tutorial shows you some of these key words to look for in a word problem.
How Do You Translate Phrases into Numerical Expressions?

Turning a phrase from words to a math problem can be tricky, but practice can make this process easier! In this tutorial, you'll see how to look for key words that can help you translate a phrase into math.
How Do You Write and Solve an Equation From a Word Problem?

Word problems are just math in disguise! Follow along with this tutorial to get some practice translating a word problem into a mathematical equation. Then, see how to solve that equation and answer the word problem!
How Do You Write an Equation From a Word Problem?

One of the challenges of solving a word problem is first turning those words into a math equation you can then use to solve. This tutorial takes you through a word problem and shows you how to translate it into a useable math equation!
What is Division?

Division is a stepping stone of math! In this tutorial, you'll see how cookies can help you find the answer to division problems!
What Are Numerical and Algebraic Expressions?

An expression is just a mathematical phrase. In this tutorial, you'll learn about two popular types of expressions: numerical and algebraic expressions. A numerical expression contains numbers and operations. An algebraic expression is almost exactly the same except it also contains variables. Check out this tutorial to learn about these two popular kinds of expressions!
What is the Substitution Property of Equality?

If you ever plug a value in for a variable into an expression or equation, you're using the Substitution Property of Equality. This property allows you to substitute quantities for each other into an expression as long as those quantities are equal. Watch this tutorial to learn about this useful property!
What are the Rules for Using Absolute Values to Add Integers?

When you're combining numbers, there are some helpful rules to make that process a little easier. This tutorial shows you the rules for using absolute values to combine integers with the same sign or with opposite signs. Take a look!
What is the Opposite, or Additive Inverse, of a Number?

Have you ever combined two numbers together and found their sum to be zero? When that happens, those numbers are called additive inverses of each other! In this tutorial, you'll learn the definition for additive inverse and see examples of how to find the additive inverse of a given value.
What are Positive and Negative Numbers?

Positive and negative numbers (and zero!) are the building blocks of math. This tutorial will introduce you to positive and negative numbers and show you their location on a number line. Plus, learn a special thing about the number zero!
What is the Number Line?

A number line is a way we can visually represent numbers. This tutorial gives you a great introduction to the number line and shows you how to graph numbers on the number line in order to compare them. Check it out!