Homeschool Math Blog

Three new books in the Blue Series! These books deal with some pre-algebra level topics. Check out their free samples! Math Mammoth Expressions & Equations This is a worktext covering the order of operations, equations, expressions, and simplifying expressions in several different ways in 6th-7th grade level. The main principles are explained and practiced both with visual models and in abstract form, and the lessons contain varying practice problems that approach the concepts from various angles. We also touch on inequalities and graphing on a very introductory level. In order to make the learning of these concepts easier, the expressions and equations in this book do not involve negative numbers (as they typically do when studied in pre-algebra and algebra). Sample pages (PDF) Contents Expressions Writing and simplifying expressions 2: area The distributive property More equations Math Mammoth Rational Numbers In Math Mammoth Rational Numbers w...

Here are two problems for you to solve... OR to learn from me when I solve them. Both problems are for algebra 1, and use a system of 2 linear equations. By the way, the comments have some wonderful ideas for solving these mentally, without using algebra. So please read them too! Problem: John bought red pens for $4 apiece and blue pens for $2.80 apiece. If John purchased a total of 24 pens for $84, how many red pens did he purchase? Solution: This is a typical problem that will have two variables and two equations. Let r be the amount of red pens he buys, and b be the amount of blue pens he buys. We get our first equation from this sentence: "He bought a total of 24 pens." So, r + b = 24. We get the second equation from the fact that his total purchases were worth $84, and red pens cost $4, and blue pens cost $2.80 4r + 2.8b = 84 Now, just solve this system of two equations using your preferred method. r + b = 24 4r + 2.8b = 84 I will multiply the top e...