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Algebra Cheatsheet

This document provides tips, tricks and shortcuts for algebra success. It begins by emphasizing that algebra is based on basic arithmetic and outlines strategies like following the order of operations and working left to right. Key formulas are presented in a table and rules for integers, division and solving equations with step-by-step instructions are detailed. The document encourages the reader to believe in their algebra abilities and provides information on an Algebra Survival Kit for additional support resources.

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honorio balbakwa
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© © All Rights Reserved
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471 views16 pages

Algebra Cheatsheet

This document provides tips, tricks and shortcuts for algebra success. It begins by emphasizing that algebra is based on basic arithmetic and outlines strategies like following the order of operations and working left to right. Key formulas are presented in a table and rules for integers, division and solving equations with step-by-step instructions are detailed. The document encourages the reader to believe in their algebra abilities and provides information on an Algebra Survival Kit for additional support resources.

Uploaded by

honorio balbakwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Algebra

Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts

by
Arlissa Pinkelton
Algebra Basics – Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts

Every student, for every degree, must take


at least one Algebra class. I bet you didn't
know Algebra is one of the most failed
courses in college.

I’m here to help that NOT be your story.


These tips, tricks, and shortcuts will equip
you to be confident and successful in your
Algebra class.

Algebra is a series of basic arithmetic functions. If you


can add or subtract, you can do any algebra problem.

Find the parenthesis and do the math inside


first. This will simplify the problem and make
it much easier to solve.

Always work from the left to the right.


If there are exponents, simplify them before
anything else.

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Next, do the multiplication and/or division.
Remember that you still need to work from
left to right.

After you’ve done everything else, do the


subtraction and/or addition. Still left to right.

Algebra problems are much easier to solve


when you know the formulas and rules. If
you memorize key algebra formulas, you
will be able to do the work quicker.

If you know the division rules and how to solve


problems using the order of operations, you
can work your algebra problems stress-free.

3
What Algebra formulas should you
memorize?

There are some frequently occurring formulas


for doing algebra problems. Memorize them
and they’ll not only help you with Algebra but
with other real-world problems. Learn the
formulas, as well as what the letters and
symbols mean in this table.

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What are the Rules of Division?

In algebra, knowing the division rules will help


you solve problems quicker. You will use this
to factor algebraic expressions by finding and
“pulling out” the greatest common factors.
These also help you to reduce algebraic
fractions easily.

- Divisible by 2: Any number ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8


- Divisible by 3: Any number where the sum of the
digits is divisible by 3
- Divisible by 4: Any number where the last two digits
form a number divisible by 4
- Divisible by 5: Any number ending in 0 or 5
- Divisible by 6: Any number divisible by both 2 and 3
- Divisible by 8: Any number where the last three
digits form a number divisible by 8
- Divisible by 9: Any number where the sum of the
digits is divisible by 9
- Divisible by 10: Any number ending in 0
- Divisible by 12: Any number where the last two digits
form a number divisible by 4 and the
sum of the digits is divisible by 3

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Rules for Integers

Addition:
If the signs are the same, add the number and
keep the sign.

If the signs are different, subtract the numbers


and keep the sign of the number with the
largest absolute value.

Subtraction:
Keep – Change – Change
Keep the first number the same
Change the subtraction sign to addition
Change the sign of second number to its
opposite sign

Multiplication and Division:


If the signs are the same, the answer is positive
If the signs are different, the answer is negative

7
The Order of Operations in Algebra

You must follow the Order of Operations


correctly in order to solve algebra problems
correctly.

Remember Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally?

It is a pnemonic for Parentheses – Exponents –


Multiply (or) Divide – Add (or) Subtract.

This helps you remember in what order to


work your problems.

1st: Calculate anything within a grouping or


parentheses

2nd: Calculate powers and roots

3rd: Perform all multiplication and division


from left to right

4th: Perform addition and subtraction from


left to right

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2
Here’s an example: 24 ÷ 3 + 11 – 3 * 2

Look for Parenthesis first. Since there are none,


we can move to exponents and roots.

32 is next. That equals 9.

So 24 ÷ 3 + 11 – 9 * 2

Next, we do multiplication and division from


left to right.

24 ÷ 3 = 8 and 9 * 2 = 18

Substituting, we have 8 + 11 – 18

Lastly, we add and subtract from left to right


8 + 11 = 19

Subtract: 19 – 18 and you have 1

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Combining Like Terms

Like terms are two or more terms that contain


the same variable AND have the same
exponents.

Example: 3x, 8x, 9x are like terms.


2y, 9y, 10y are like terms.

3x, 3y are NOT like terms because they do NOT


have the same variable!

Golden Rule for Solving Equations

Solving equations is a huge part of Algebra. If


you master how to solve them, you will have
the majority of the skills required to pass your
class.

The Golden Rule is - Whatever You Do To One


Side of the Equation, You Must Do to the Other
Side!

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Here is a step-by-step guide for solving them.

1. Does your equation have fractions?


a. Yes – then multiply each term on both sides
of the equation by the denominator
b. No – Go to Step 2

2. Does your equation involve the distributive


property?
a. Yes – Rewrite the equation without the
parenthesis
b. No – Go to Step 3

3. Do you have like terms on either side of the


equation?
a. Yes – Simplify the equation by combining
the like terms on each side. Don’t forget the
sign in front of each term belongs to that term
b. No – Go to Step 4

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4. Are there variables on both sides of the
equation?
a. Yes – perform opposite operations in order
to get the variables on one side and all the
constants on the other side. Then jump to
Step 6.
b. No – Go to Step 5

5. Now you should have a two-step equation


left to solve. If not, then go check the previous
steps again.

6. Use addition or subtraction to move all of


the constants to the opposite side of the
variables

7. Multiply or divide to remove the coefficient


from the variable side of the equation.
8. Check your answer by substituting it back
into the original equation.

You are Finished!


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Algebra is an involved and methodical
process. But with these Tips, Tricks, and
Shortcuts, we will help you untangle and
break down the process into manageable,
doable steps and pieces.

If you can do basic math, you do Algebra.


You must know that you can.

You must believe that you’re capable. You


must know that you can be successful.

Good luck moving forward!

The Algebra Survival Kit


is where you can get
EVERYTHING you need
to Pass your algebra
Class

Get yours NOW at:


www.8minutemaths.com/survival-kit
15
Algebra
Survival
Kit
Kit Includes:
EVERYTHING you need to pass
your Algebra Course
- Resources for Every Algebra topic
(Examples & Practice Problems)
- How to's for remembering material, balancing your
time for life/work/school, surviving the Final Exam,
and passing the course
- Basic Skills Refresher Videos
- Building Balance Planner
- Lessons
- Formulas
- Worksheets
www.8minutemaths.com/survival-kit

Make sure to join our Facebook group:


https://facebook.com/8minutemaths

If you’re looking for support for Math courses, check out our
products at: www.8minutemaths.com

16

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