Algebra 1 Curriculum

Below are skills needed, with links to resources to help with that skill. We also encourage plenty of exercises and book work. Curriculum Home

Important: this is a guide only.
Check with your local education authority to find out their requirements.

Algebra 1 | Numbers
☐ Simplify radical terms (no variable in the radicand)
Squares and Square Roots
Surds
Simplifying Square Roots
☐ Perform the four arithmetic operations using like and unlike radical terms and express the result in simplest form
Squares and Square Roots in Algebra
Simplifying Square Roots
Rationalize the Denominator
☐ Understand and use scientific notation to compute products and quotients of large or small numbers.
Standard Form
Scientific Notation
Index Notation - Powers of 10
Definition of Scientific Notation
☐ Solve algebraic problems arising from situations that involve fractions, decimals, percents (decrease/increase and discount), and proportionality/direct variation
Solving Equations
Real World Examples of Quadratic Equations
☐ Evaluate expressions involving factorial(s), absolute value(s), and exponential expression(s)
Absolute Value
Laws of Exponents
Factorial Function !
Absolute Value in Algebra
Definition of Absolute Value
Definition of Factorial
☐ Understand that dividing by zero is undefined.
Reciprocal
Dividing by Zero
Reciprocal
Reciprocal of a Fraction
Zero Product Property
☐ Know how to calculate n! for whole numbers n, and the relationship between n! and (n - 1)!
Full Precision Calculator
Factorial Function !
☐ Understand what is meant by an imaginary number and a complex number.
Complex Numbers
The Evolution of Numbers
Real Numbers
Imaginary Numbers
Definition of Imaginary Numbers
Definition of Complex Number
☐ Understand what is meant by infinity and that infinity is not a Real number.
What is Infinity?
Real Numbers
☐ Represent a repeating decimal as a fraction.
Does 0.999... equal 1?
☐ Understand the geometric mean, how to calculate it, and its relationship to mean proportionals.
Mean Proportional
Geometric Mean
☐ Understand the harmonic mean, and how to calculate it.
Harmonic Mean
Algebra 1 | Measurement
☐ Calculate rates using appropriate units (e.g., rate of a space ship versus the rate of a snail)
Definition of Speed
US Standard Speed (Velocity)
Metric Speed (Velocity)
Girl, Boy and Dog
Making the Average
The Fly and The Trains
Riding Against the Wind
☐ Solve problems involving conversions within the metric measurement system, given the relationship between the units
Conversion of Area
Conversion of Length
How to Safely Convert From One Unit to Another
Metric Numbers
Unit Converter
Conversion of Volume
Conversion of Temperature - Celsius to Fahrenheit
☐ Calculate the relative error in measuring square and cubic units, when there is an error in the linear measure (metric measurements)
Accuracy and Precision
Errors in Measurement
Percentage Error
Unit of Measurement
☐ Solve problems involving conversions within the US standard measurement system, given the relationship between the units
How to Safely Convert From One Unit to Another
Conversion of Length
Conversion of Area
Unit Converter
Conversion of Volume
Conversion of Temperature - Celsius to Fahrenheit
☐ Calculate the relative error in measuring square and cubic units, when there is an error in the linear measure (US standard measurements)
Accuracy and Precision
Errors in Measurement
Percentage Error
Unit of Measurement
Algebra 1 | Algebra
☐ Translate a quantitative verbal phrase into an algebraic expression
Introduction to Algebra - Multiplication
Introduction to Algebra
Solving Inequality Questions
Solving Word Questions
☐ Find values of a variable for which an algebraic fraction is undefined.
Dividing by Zero
Algebra Mistakes
Solving Equations
Using Rational Expressions
☐ Add or subtract fractional expressions with monomial or like binomial denominators
Fractions in Algebra
Using Rational Expressions
☐ Multiply and divide algebraic fractions, and express the product or quotient in its simplest form
Fractions in Algebra
Using Rational Expressions
☐ Recognize and factor the difference of two perfect squares
Factoring in Algebra
Special Binomial Products
Definition of Difference of Squares
☐ Write verbal expressions that match given mathematical expressions
Order of Operations - PEMDAS
Order of Operations - BODMAS
The Language of Mathematics
☐ Factor algebraic expressions completely, including trinomials with a lead coefficient of one (after factoring a GCF)
Factoring in Algebra
Definition of Trinomial
Factoring Quadratics
☐ Solve literal equations for a given variable
Equations and Formulas
☐ Solve equations involving fractional expressions. Note: Expressions which result in linear equations in one variable.
Fractions in Algebra
Solving Equations
Rational Expressions
Using Rational Expressions
☐ Solve algebraic proportions in one variable which result in linear or quadratic equations
Solving Equations
☐ Distinguish the difference between an algebraic expression and an algebraic equation
Algebra - Definitions
☐ Translate verbal sentences into mathematical equations or inequalities, and simplify them.
Solving Word Questions
Solving Inequality Questions
☐ Write algebraic equations or inequalities that represent a situation
Solving Word Questions
☐ Solve complex equations of degree greater than two by making an appropriate change of variable.
Change of Variables
Degree
☐ Understand the difference between an equation and a formula.
Equations and Formulas
☐ Know how to change the subject of a formula.
Equations and Formulas
Activity: Buffon's Needle
☐ Know the various meanings of the words 'Standard Form', including Scientific Notation.
Definition of Standard Form
Standard Form
Scientific Notation
Zero Product Property
Definition of Standard Form (Numbers)
Algebra 1 | Exponents
☐ Multiply and divide monomial expressions with a common base using the properties of exponents. Note: Use integral exponents only.
Definition of Monomial
Multiplying Polynomials
Variables with Exponents - How to Multiply and Divide them
Laws of Exponents
Using Exponents in Algebra
Algebra 1 | Inequalities
☐ Determine whether a given value is a solution to a given linear equation in one variable or linear inequality in one variable
Solving Equations
Solving Inequalities
Substitution
☐ Solve linear inequalities in one variable
Solving Inequalities
☐ Determine whether a given point is in the solution set of a system of linear inequalities
Solving Inequalities
Graphing Linear Inequalities
Inequality Grapher
☐ Graph linear inequalities
Solving Inequalities
Intervals
Inequality Grapher
Graphing Linear Inequalities
Algebra 1 | Coordinates
☐ Plot points using coordinates in three dimensions.
Cartesian Coordinates
Algebra 1 | Linear Equations
☐ Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically
Systems of Linear Equations
Puzzle - Pencils and Jars
☐ Solve all types of linear equations in one variable
Balance when Adding and Subtracting
Solving Equations
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems whose solution requires solving a linear equation in one variable or linear inequality in one variable
Solving Inequalities
Balance when Adding and Subtracting
Solving Word Questions
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems whose solution requires solving systems of linear equations in two variables
Systems of Linear Equations
Solving Word Questions
☐ Show that, given a system of two equations in two variables, the two equations can be combined in various ways to give other equations with the same solutions; thus justifying the elimination method.
Systems of Linear Equations
Algebra 1 | Quadratic Equations
☐ Solve a system of one linear and one quadratic equation in two variables, where only factoring is required. Note: The quadratic equation should represent a parabola and the solution(s) should be integers.
Factoring Quadratics
Quadratic Equations
Systems of Linear and Quadratic Equations
☐ Understand and apply the multiplication property of zero to solve quadratic equations with integral coefficients and integral roots
Quadratic Equations
Factoring Quadratics
Quadratic Equation Solver
Solving Equations
Zero Product Property
☐ Understand the difference and connection between roots of a quadratic equation and factors of a quadratic expression
Factoring Quadratics
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equation Solver
☐ Analyze and solve verbal problems that involve quadratic equations
Real World Examples of Quadratic Equations
Solving Word Questions
Algebra 1 | Polynomials
☐ Add, subtract, and multiply monomials and polynomials
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Polynomials - Long Multiplication
Multiplying Polynomials
Definition of Monomial
Definition of Polynomial
Like Terms
☐ Divide a polynomial by a monomial or binomial, where the quotient has no remainder. Use factoring with canceling, or Polynomial long division.
Dividing Polynomials
Polynomials - Long Division
Definition of Monomial
Definition of Binomial
Definition of Polynomial
☐ Simplify fractions with polynomials in the numerator and denominator by factoring both and renaming them to lowest terms
Rational Expressions
Polynomials - Long Division
Dividing Polynomials
☐ Understand Special Binomial Products
Special Binomial Products
Factoring in Algebra
Algebra 1 | Sets
☐ Use set-builder notation and/or interval notation to illustrate the elements of a set, given the elements in roster form
Introduction to Sets
Intervals
Set-Builder Notation
☐ Find the complement of a subset of a given set, within a given universe
Introduction to Sets
Sets and Venn Diagrams
Definition of Set
☐ Understand the following terms: Member (or element) of a set, subset, Universal set, Null (or empty) set, intersection of sets (no more than three sets), union of sets (no more than three sets), the difference between two sets, the complement of a set
Definition of Set
Introduction to Sets
Sets and Venn Diagrams
Intervals
☐ Identify and apply the properties of real numbers (closure, commutative, associative, distributive, identity, inverse) Note: Students do not need to identify groups and fields, but students should be engaged in the ideas.
Real Numbers
Commutative, Associative and Distributive Laws
Inverse
Definition of Real Numbers
Definition of Commutative Law
Definition of Associative Law
Definition of Distributive Law
Definition of Identity
Definition of Additive Identity
Definition of Multiplicative Identity
Definition of Inverse
Definition of Additive Inverse
Definition of Reciprocal
Closure
Real Number Properties
☐ Express the union or intersection of sets of numbers in interval notation.
Introduction to Sets
Intervals
Number Line
Sets and Venn Diagrams
☐ Draw and interpret sets in Venn diagrams
Sets and Venn Diagrams
Algebra 1 | Functions
☐ Determine when a relation is a function, by examining ordered pairs and inspecting graphs of relations
Domain, Range and Codomain
What is a Function
Definition of Function
Definition of Domain of a function
Definition of Range of a function
☐ Identify and graph linear, quadratic (parabolic), absolute value, and exponential functions
Parabola
Function Grapher and Calculator
Absolute Value in Algebra
Linear Equations
Square Function
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Explore the Quadratic Equation
Absolute Value Function
Exponential Function Reference
☐ Investigate and generalize how changing the coefficients of a function affects its graph
Function Grapher and Calculator
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Explore the Quadratic Equation
Parabola
Function Transformations
☐ Find the roots of a parabolic function graphically. Note: Only quadratic equations with integral solutions.
Parabola
Function Grapher and Calculator
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Explore the Quadratic Equation
Quadratic Equations
Graph of an Equation
☐ Define a relation and function
What is a Function
Definition of Function
Definition of Domain of a function
Definition of Range of a function
Injective, Surjective and Bijective
☐ Determine when a relation is a function
Domain, Range and Codomain
What is a Function
Definition of Range of a function
Definition of Domain of a function
Definition of Function
☐ Determine if a function is one-to-one, onto, or both
Injective, Surjective and Bijective
Increasing and Decreasing Functions
☐ Determine whether a function is injective, surjective or bijective.
Injective, Surjective and Bijective
Increasing and Decreasing Functions
Algebra 1 | Graphs
☐ Graph the slope (gradient) as a rate of change between dependent and independent variables
Definition of Gradient
Definition of Slope
Equation of a Straight Line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Linear Equations
Calculate the Straight Line Graph
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Determine the slope (gradient) of a line, given the coordinates of two points on the line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Equation of a Straight Line
Calculate the Straight Line Graph
Equation of a Line from 2 Points
Linear Equations
☐ Write the equation of a line, given its slope (gradient) and the coordinates of a point on the line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Equation of a Straight Line
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
Equation of a Line from 2 Points
Linear Equations
☐ Write the equation of a line, given the coordinates of two points on the line
Calculate the Straight Line Graph
Equation of a Line from 2 Points
Equation of a Straight Line
Linear Equations
☐ Write the equation of a line parallel to the x-axis or the y-axis
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
Linear Equations
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Determine the slope (gradient) of a straight line, given its equation in any form
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Equation of a Straight Line
General Form of Equation of a Line
Linear Equations
☐ Determine if two lines are parallel, given their equations in any form
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Definition of Parallel Lines
☐ Determine whether a given point is on a line, given the equation of the line
Linear Equations
☐ Determine the vertex, axis of symmetry, focus and directrix of a parabola, given its equation.
Square Function
Parabola
Definition of Parabola
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Explore the Quadratic Equation
☐ Determine the vertex and axis of symmetry of a parabola, given its graph. Note: The vertex will have an ordered pair of integers and the axis of symmetry will have an integral value.
Square Function
Parabola
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Definition of Parabola
Explore the Quadratic Equation
☐ Graph and solve systems of linear equations and inequalities with rational coefficients in two variables.
Systems of Linear Equations
Graphing Linear Inequalities
Function Grapher and Calculator
Inequality Grapher
☐ Solve systems of linear and quadratic equations graphically. Note: Only use systems of linear and quadratic equations that lead to solutions whose coordinates are integers.
Function Grapher and Calculator
Systems of Linear and Quadratic Equations Solving Graphically
Systems of Linear and Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
☐ Find the slope of a perpendicular line, given the equation of a line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Definition of Perpendicular Lines
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
☐ Determine whether two lines are parallel, perpendicular, or neither, given their equations
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Perpendicular and Parallel
☐ Find the equation of a line, given a point on the line and the equation of a line perpendicular to the given line
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Perpendicular and Parallel
☐ Find the equation of a line, given a point on the line and the equation of a line parallel to the desired line
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Perpendicular and Parallel
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
☐ Find the midpoint of a line segment, given its endpoints
Definition of Midpoint
Midpoint of a Line Segment
☐ Find the length of a line segment, given its endpoints
Distance Between 2 Points
Activity: A Walk in the Desert
Pythagoras Theorem
☐ Find the equation of a line that is the perpendicular bisector of a line segment, given the endpoints of the line segment
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Midpoint of a Line Segment
Bisect
Definition of Bisect
Definition of Perpendicular
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
☐ Investigate, justify, and apply the properties of triangles and quadrilaterals in the coordinate plane, using the distance, midpoint, and slope (gradient) formulas
Triangles - Equilateral, Isosceles and Scalene
Quadrilaterals - Square, Rectangle, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Parallelogram
Slope (Gradient) of a Straight Line
Distance Between 2 Points
Midpoint of a Line Segment
Finding Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Gradient (Slope) of a Straight Line
☐ Find a set of ordered pairs to satisfy a given polynomial equation or other simple function; then plot the ordered pairs and draw the curve.
Graph of an Equation
Activity: Soup Can
☐ Recognize the symmetry in equations and their graphs.
Symmetry in Equations
Function Grapher and Calculator
☐ Determine the area of an ellipse from its Cartesian formula
Ellipse
Area Calculator
☐ Know how to convert the equation of a straight line between these types: Slope-intercept form, General form and point-slope form.
Point-Slope Equation of a Line
General Form of Equation of a Line
Equation of a Straight Line
☐ Find the coordinates of the point that divides a line segment in a given ratio.
Midpoint of a Line Segment