Prealgebra 2e<\/i>\u00a0is designed to meet scope and sequence requirements for a one-semester prealgebra or basic math course. The book\u2019s organization makes it easy to adapt to a variety of course syllabi. The text introduces the fundamental concepts of algebra while addressing the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Each topic builds upon previously developed material to demonstrate the cohesiveness and structure of mathematics.<\/p>\n
The second edition contains detailed updates and accuracy revisions to address comments and suggestions from users. Dozens of faculty experts worked through the text, exercises and problems, graphics, and solutions to identify areas needing improvement. Though the authors made significant changes and enhancements, exercise and problem numbers remain nearly the same in order to ensure a smooth transition for faculty. The first edition of\u00a0Prealgebra<\/i>\u00a0by OpenStax is available in web view\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even though counting is first taught at a young age, mastering mathematics, which is the study of numbers, requires constant attention. If it has been a while since you have studied math, it can be helpful to review basic topics. In this chapter, we will focus on numbers used for counting as well as four arithmetic operations\u2014addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We will also discuss some vocabulary that we will use throughout this book.<\/p>\n Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n By the end of this section, you will be able to: Learning algebra is similar to learning a language. You start with a basic vocabulary and then add to it as you go along. You need to practice often until the vocabulary becomes easy to you. The more you use the vocabulary, the more familiar it becomes.<\/p>\n Algebra uses numbers and symbols to represent words and ideas. Let\u2019s look at the numbers first. The most basic numbers used in algebra are those we use to count objects: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, \u2026 and so on. These are called the counting numbers. The notation \u201c\u2026\u201d is called an ellipsis, which is another way to show \u201cand so on\u201d, or that the pattern continues endlessly. Counting numbers are also called natural numbers.<\/p>\n Algebra <\/b>is one of the\u00a0broad areas<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0mathematics<\/a>. Roughly speaking, algebra is the study of\u00a0mathematical symbols<\/a>\u00a0and the rules for manipulating these symbols in\u00a0formulas<\/a>; <\/sup>it is a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics.<\/sup><\/p>\n Elementary algebra<\/a>\u00a0deals with the manipulation of\u00a0variables<\/a>\u00a0as if they were numbers (see the image), and is therefore essential in all applications of mathematics.\u00a0Abstract algebra<\/a>\u00a0is the name given in\u00a0education<\/a>\u00a0to the study of\u00a0algebraic structures<\/a>\u00a0such as\u00a0groups<\/a>,\u00a0rings<\/a>, and\u00a0fields<\/a>.\u00a0Linear algebra<\/a>, which deals with\u00a0linear equations<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0linear mappings<\/a>, is used for modern presentations of\u00a0geometry<\/a>, and has many practical applications (in\u00a0weather forecasting<\/a>, for example). There are many areas of mathematics that belong to algebra, some having “algebra” in their name, such as\u00a0commutative algebra<\/a>\u00a0and some not, such as\u00a0Galois theory<\/a>.<\/p>\n The word\u00a0algebra<\/i>\u00a0is not only used for naming an area of mathematics and some subareas; it is also used for naming some sorts of algebraic structures, such as an\u00a0algebra over a field<\/a>, commonly called an\u00a0algebra<\/i>. Sometimes, the same phrase is used for a subarea and its main algebraic structures; for example,\u00a0Boolean algebra<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0Boolean algebra<\/a>. A mathematician specialized in algebra is called an algebraist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Introduction<\/h4>\n
Introduction to Whole Numbers<\/h4>\n
\nIdentify counting numbers and whole numbers
\nModel whole numbers
\nIdentify the place value of a digit
\nUse place value to name whole numbers
\nUse place value to write whole numbers
\nRound whole numbers<\/p>\nIdentify Counting Numbers and Whole Numbers<\/h4>\n