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What is the definition of algebra?

A branch of math that uses known quantities to find unknown quantities. In algebra, letters are sometimes used in place of numbers.
Learn more about algebra in the class "Shop Algebra Overview 200" below.

Shop Algebra Overview 200

Shop Essentials Training

Class Information

Tooling U classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The typical class consists of 12 to 25 lessons and typically requires at least two hours of instruction time.

Class Name:	Shop Algebra Overview 200
Description:	This class explains basic principles of algebra and demonstrates how to solve equations containing multiple operations.
Prerequisites:	800100 800105
Difficulty:	Intermediate
Number of Lessons:	19

Below are all the competencies and job programs that contain the class Shop Algebra Overview 200. Job programs are our traditional class lists organized according to common job functions. Competences are our latest job-specific curricula that help tie online learning to practical, hands-on tasks.

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Competencies	Show All
CNC Lathe Operator CNC Machinist CNC Mill Operator

Job Programs	Show All
Job: CNC Operator: Mill Job: CNC Operator: Lathe Job: CNC Programmer

Class Outline
Objectives What Is Algebra? Variables Order of Operations Grouping Symbols in Algebra Reducing Terms Factoring Distributing Balancing Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division Exponents and Radicals Multiple Operations Creating Equations Constants Formulas and Standards Working With Complex Equations Summary

Class Objectives

Describe the purpose of algebra.
Define variable.
Solve an expression by following the order of operations.
Solve an expression by following the correct grouping of terms.
Identify common symbols used in algebra.
Demonstrate how to reduce like terms of an equation.
Demonstrate factoring in an algebra equation.
Demonstrate distribution in an algebra equation.
Describe the process of balancing an equation.
Demonstrate the additive inverse in an algebra equation.
Demonstrate the multiplicative inverse in an algebra equation.
Demonstrate how to use exponents and radicals to solve an equation.
Demonstrate how to perform multiple operations to solve an equation.
Change a story problem into an equation.
Define constant.
Define formula.
Describe how standard units are used in formulas.
Calculate an unknown variable in a story problem.

Class Vocabulary
additive inverse		A new operation that, through addition or subtraction, removes a number or variable from an equation. The additive inverse is the opposite of the number or variable that is removed.
algebra		A branch of math that uses known quantities to find unknown quantities. In algebra, letters are sometimes used in place of numbers.
balancing		Introducing a series of new operations to both sides of an equation to solve for an unknown variable. Whichever operations take place on one side also must take place on the other.
common denominator		A term or number that evenly divides all of the terms or numbers that appear below the lines in multiple fractions.
constant		A variable or number that does not change value.
distributing		An operation in which the individual terms in a group are multiplied by the same term outside of the group.
equation		A mathematical statement that shows the equality of two expressions. In 2 + 2 = 4, both sides of the equation are two different ways to express the same value.
exponent		The proper term for a power.
factoring		An operation in which the common number in a set of terms is factored or divided out.
formula		A representation of a known equation using letters, numbers, and/or symbols.
fraction line		The horizontal line that separates the numerator and denominator in a fraction.
greatest common factor		The largest term or number that evenly divides each term of an expression.
grouping		A method of organizing the sequence of mathematical operations by using symbols such as parentheses.
multiplicative inverse		A new operation that, through multiplication or division, removes a number or variable from an equation. The multiplicative inverse is the opposite of the number or variable that is removed.
nesting		The placement of a group of terms within a larger grouping of terms.
numerator		The expression or number that appears above the line in a fraction.
operation		A mathematical action or process such as addition or subtraction.
order of operations		A set of mathematical rules that dictates the sequence in which operations must be performed.
power		A value indicating how many times a number or variable is multiplied by itself to reach a new value. Powers, or exponents, are positioned above and to the right of another number or variable.
radical		A checkmark-like symbol that indicates that the number inside of it should be read as the root of that number.
reducing		The combining of similar terms to simplify an equation. Reducing often takes place through addition and subtraction.
root		A value indicating how many times a new, unknown value must be multiplied by itself to equal the stated number or variable. A root is an inverse of a power operation.
solving		Finding the solution or answer to a problem with an unknown variable.
square root		A type of root that asks, "what number times itself is equal to the stated number or variable?"
superscript		A small number, letter, or symbol that appears above and to the right of another number, letter, or symbol.
term		A series of numbers or variables connected to one another by multiplication or division operations.
variable		A symbol, such as a letter of the alphabet, that represents an unknown quantity.