Syllabus Introduction to Algebra A
Introduction to Algebra A covers exponents and radicals, linear equations and inequalities, ratio and
proportion, systems of linear equations, complex numbers, and quadratics.
This course is specifically designed for high-performing students and draws material from many
programs for top middle and high school students in the country. Our philosophy is that students develop
more by learning to solve problems they haven’t seen before, as opposed to offering repeated drills that
students can memorize their way through. In this way, our classes are structured much more like courses
at top-tier colleges.
Book: Introduction to Algebra, Chapters 1-13, by Richard Rusczyk
Time Commitment: This 60-lesson self-paced course includes 70-100 hours of total work,
corresponding to a 3/4-year course.
Grading: Grading is based on student performance on Alcumus homework, Short-Answer Challenge
Problems, Writing Challenge Problems (proofs), and student progress in our online lessons. Alcumus is
the AoPS online learning system that adjusts to student performance to deliver appropriate problems
and lessons.
Content:
Chapter Topic
1 Follow the Rules
Rules of arithmetic
Equations
Exponents, fractional exponents, and radicals
2 x Marks the Spot
Expressions
Distribution, subtraction, and factoring
Expressions with fractions
3 One-Variable Linear Equations
Solving linear equations
Word problems
4 More Variables
Evaluating expressions with multiple variables
Manipulating expressions
5 Multi-Variable Linear Equations
Substitution
Elimination
Word Problems
6 Ratios and Percents
Ratios
Conversion factors
Percents
7 Proportion
Direct proportion
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Syllabus Introduction to Algebra A
Inverse proportion
Joint proportion
Rate problems
8 Graphing Lines
The number line and Cartesian plane
Graphing linear equations
Slopes, intercepts, and equations
Comparing lines
9 Introduction to Inequalities
Linear inequalities
Graphing inequalities
Optimization
10 Quadratic Equations - Part 1
Factoring quadratics
Sums and products of roots of a quadratic
11 Special Factorization
Difference of squares
Sum and difference of cubes
Simon’s favorite factoring trick
12 Complex Numbers
What are complex numbers?
Complex Number Arithmetic
13 Quadratic Equations - Part 2
Completing the square
The quadratic formula
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Syllabus Introduction to Algebra A
Common Core State Standards:
Domain Subdomain Standards
The Real Number System 1, 2
Number and Quantity Quantities 1, 2
The Complex Number System 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
Seeing Structure in Expressions 1ab, 2, 3abc
Arithmetic with Polynomials & Rational Expressions 1, 5
Algebra
Creating Equations 1, 4
Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities 1, 2, 3, 4ab, 6, 7, 12
Interpreting Functions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7ab, 8a, 9
Functions Building Functions 1abc, 4a
Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Models 5
Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations 5, 6
Geometry
Modeling with Geometry 2
Sample Problems:
• Solution 1 consists of 80% benzene and 20% toluene. Solution 2 consists of 30% benzene and 70%
toluene.
(a) How many mL of Solution 1 must be added to 500 mL of Solution 2 in order to produce a
solution that is 70% benzene?
(b) How many mL of Solution 1 and how many mL of Solution 2 must be combined to form a 100
mL solution that is 50% benzene and 50% toluene?
(c) Is there a combination of Solution 1 and Solution 2 that is 90% benzene and 10% toluene?
• Find all pairs of real numbers (x, y) such that x + y = 6 and x2 + y 2 = 28.
• Suppose R is (3, 5) and S is (8, −3). Find each point on the line through R and S that is three times
as far from R as it is from S.
• A line L has a slope of -2 and passes through the point (r, −3). A second line, K, is perpendicular to
L at (a, b) and passes through the point (6, r). Find a in terms of r.
• Austin High School’s volleyball team has made it to the state championship. They have 300 tickets
to the big game. They will sell tickets to students for 5 dollars and to teachers for 6 dollars. School
rules say that there must be at least 1 teacher for every 5 students on the trip. The school also
wants to have at least twice as many students as teachers on the trip. There are 110 seats on the
school bus that ticketholders must use to ride to the game. Each seat can fit either 2 teachers or 3
students. To how many teachers should the student sell tickets to maximize their revenue (and
such that all ticketholders fit on the bus)?
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Art of Problem Solving is an ACS WASC Accredited School.
