Algebra Basics

Algebra is fairly simple. It's somewhat like your a dectective and the
variable is like the culprit that your trying to find. Variables are
represented as letters. The most common variables are X, and Y. When using
variables it is recommended that you don't use letters that may look like
something else. (i.e. O, T, or I) For those letters may be mis-interpreted as
an addition sign (+) or a Zero or a One.

Example of writing an Equation.

Joe has 2 more than twice the amount of dimes bob has.
If Bob has 20 dimes then how many does Joe have?

You can see, it's quite a mystery. You must find out "D" or Dimes.
How many dimes does Joe have?

The equation example above can also be reprsented as numbers.
2D+2=20
The number of Dimes that Bob has are represented by "D". And the total number of
Dimes that Joe has are Represented by "20". We are so much closer to
discovering what the variables equal. Didn't we tell you it was easy?
But don't get your hopes up, there is still lots of things to understand
about algebra to uncover it all. So just bear with us.

Firstly we must simplify the equation so that it is easier to solve.

2D+2=20 --

What ever you do to one side, must always be done to the other
We don't like the Integers in our equations. They just muck it all up.
Where were we? Ohh yes. I remember,

2D+2=20 --

2D+2=20 --

Now we can solve this. It's fairly simple. 20 is the Number of Dimes that Joe has.
2D is the number of Dimes Bob has. But the equation says that Bob has
twice as much as Joe add 2. Remember If we multiply 20 by 2 then add 2 we will get our answer.

--Drumroll--

The answer is IN!! Bob has 42 Dimes and Joe has 20!!
Wasn't that easy? It's not THAT hard, now is it. (P.S. You can stop Crying now)


Simplifying

Simplifying is your friend. It makes things Easier. As you will see in just a moment.
Simplifying is like reducing a fraction, you make it smaller so
it's easier to work with. So let's say you have a equation that looks something
like the following...

2X+4Y+9X-X+2Y-5Y

Looks scary doesn't it? Please, there's no need to run to your room and hide
under the covers. Even though I did the first time. I will show you how to make
this small and less complicated.

2X+4Y+9X-X+2Y-5Y ----> 10X+Y

Now, you must be wondering... "How the heck did they do that? When I tried, my head exploded".

Well it's not that hard to do. Let us explain it for you. Firstly you must
combine the variables that are the same, X goes with X and Y goes with Y, etc.
Also, when combining variables you must also accept the rules of adding and subtracting.
If it says 5X-3X then you must follow the rules.


NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!!

We've taught you all we know, we just hope it's enough to meet your algelbrastic needs!!

If we've taught you well, then these should be a SNAP! Yes, Unfortunatly you've got
some homework. Who said algebra was easy? Not us, that's for sure.

Solve the following 5 questions for the variable:

1. 3 - 2D = 15

2. (1/4)C - (3/4) = 7/4

3. 1 + 2(w-14) = 97

4. -B + 4 = (-2B)

5. 5X + 3X - 5 + X - 7 = 24


Think your so smart ehh? Try this then.

** (1/9X) x (1/27) = 2 3/97 **



This concludes our wonderous teachings, and I think it's safe to say
"Thank you, Come again!"