Secondary Mathematics - First Year - Elementary Algebra

1: Measurement
• Measurement and the use of measuring devices, conversion of units of measurement and
solving real life problems
• Illustrate the development of measurement from the primitive to the present
international system of units.
• Measure quantities.
• length.
• weight.
• volume.
• temperature.
• time.
• angle.
• Express relationships between two quantities using ratios.
• Convert measurements from one unit to another.
• Solve problems involving measurement.

2: Real Number System

• Describe the real number system: integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, real numbers
• Describe opposite quantities in real life.
• Determine the absolute value of a number.
• Solve simple absolute value equations using the number line.
• Perform fundamental operations on integers:
• addition.
• subtraction.
• multiplication.
• division.
• Illustrate the different properties:
• commutative.
• associative.
• distributive.
• identity.
• inverse.
• Solve problems involving integers
• Perform operations on dissimilar fractions and mixed forms.
• Perform operations on decimals.
• Solve problems involving fractions and decimals.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in solving square roots of positive rational numbers.
• Define the square root of a rational number.
• Approximate the square root of a positive rational number.
• Identify square roots which are rational and which are not rational (irrational numbers).
• If the square root of a number is not rational, determine two integers or rational
numbers between which it lies.
• Give examples of other irrational numbers.
• Use knowledge related to square roots in problem-solving.
3: Algebraic Expressions
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill related to simplifying and performing operations on
polynomials.
• Define constants, variables, algebraic expressions.
• Simplify numerical expressions involving exponents and grouping symbols.
• Translate verbal phrases to mathematical expressions and vice versa.
• Evaluate mathematical expressions for given values of the variable(s) involved.
• Simplify algebraic expressions using the laws on exponents.
m n m+n
• a a =a
m m m
• (ab) =a b
m n mn
• (a ) =a
m m m
• (a/b) =a /b
m n m-n, where m - n is a positive number if m is greater than n, m - n is a
• a /a =a
negative number if m is less than n
• Express numbers in scientific notation.
• Define polynomials.
• Classify algebraic expressions as polynomials and non-polynomials.
• Perform operations on polynomials.
• addition and subtraction.
• multiplication: polynomial by a monomial.
• multiplication: polynomial by another polynomial.
• division : polynomial by a monomial.
• division : polynomial by a polynomial.
• Solve problems involving polynomials.

4: First Degree Equations and Inequalities In One Variable

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in transforming and solving first degree equations and
inequations in one variable.
• Distinguish between equations and inequalities.
• Translate verbal statements involving general or unknown quantities to equations and
inequalities and vice versa.
• Determine the solution set of first degree equations using:
• number line.
• replacement set.
• inspection.
• Determine the solution set of first degree inequations using:
• number line.
• replacement set.
• inspection.
• State the different properties of equality.
• Illustrate the different properties of equality.
• Apply the properties of equality in finding the solution set of first degree equations.
• Solve problems using first degree equations and inequalities in one variable (e.g.
relations among numbers, geometry, business, uniform motion, money problems, etc.).
5: Linear Equations in Two Variables
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill related to linear equations in two variables and their
application to real life problems.
• Describe the Cartesian Coordinate Plane (x-axis, y-axis, quadrant, origin).
• Given a point on the coordinate plane, give its coordinates.
• Given a pair of coordinates, plot the point.
• Given the coordinates of a point, determine the quadrant where it is located.
• Identify a linear equation in two variables: Ax+By=C.
• Construct a table of values for x and y given a linear equation in two variables, Ax+By=C.
• Draw the graph of Ax+By=C based on a table of values for x and y.
• Define features of a graph.
• x and y intercepts
• slope
• domain
• range
• Determine the following properties of the graph of a linear equation Ax + By = C:
• slope
• intercepts
• domain
• range
• trend (increasing or decreasing)
• Given a linear equation Ax + By = C, rewrite in the form y = mx + b, and vice versa.
• Draw the graph of a linear equation in two variables described by an equation using:
• the intercepts
• any two points
• the slope and a given point
• Obtain the equation of a line given the following:
• slope intercept form
• the intercepts
• any two points
• the slope and a point
• Use linear equations in two variables to solve problems.

6: Special Products and Factoring

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in finding special products and factors of certain polynomials.
• Identify special products.
• polynomials whose terms have a common monomial factor
• trinomials which are products of two binomials
• trinomials which are squares of a binomial
• products of the sum and difference of two quantities
• Given the factors, find the special product.
• Factor polynomials.
• polynomials whose terms have a common monomial factor
• trinomials which are products of two binomials
• trinomials which are squares of a binomial
• products of the sum and difference of two quantities
• Given a polynomial, factor completely.