Learning Algebra 1 at HOME!

[Hambone]

I could easily simplify this problem using the steps they show in my algebra book, but how would YOU guys simplify it? I'm just really looking for some alternate solutions here.

-2z + 3 + 4z -17 + 20

[Ouch!]

Group like terms?

[blackmage_nuke]

How do you do it because as i see it there only seems to be one method which as Ouch! said is group like terms

[Tavrobel]

Group like terms?

[Lawr]

FOIL? Or maybe it's Combine like terms.

[Tavrobel]

FOIL? Or maybe it's Combine like terms.

FOIL needs polynomials. This is just your standard like-terms drill.

I believe that this becomes 2z + 6.

[Jessweeee♪]

I could easily simplify this problem using the steps they show in my algebra book, but how would YOU guys simplify it? I'm just really looking for some alternate solutions here.

-2z + 3 + 4z -17 + 20

How do they say to do it in the book o.o


I just add -2z and 4z together to get 2z, then 3 - 17 + 20 to get 6.

2z + 6

[Lawr]

I could easily simplify this problem using the steps they show in my algebra book, but how would YOU guys simplify it? I'm just really looking for some alternate solutions here.

-2z + 3 + 4z -17 + 20

How do they say to do it in the book o.o


I just add -2z and 4z together to get 2z, then 3 - 17 + 20 to get 6.

2z - 6

Wouldn't it be +6 because the Sum of 3-17+20 isn't -6.

[Tavrobel]

2z - 6

You know what, Sagensyg, forget about FOIL. This here is an example of FAIL.

If you hadn't noticed by now, Hambone, 23 is greater than 17.

[Jessweeee♪]

Ooops....I knew that. Hey, I got the method right anyway!


It's mistakes like these that's making me fail my math course! I know what I'm doing, but I just put something stupid like a minus sign where a plus should be

[Tavrobel]

It's mistakes like these that's making me fail my math course! I know what I'm doing, but I just put something stupid like a minus sign where a plus should be

Those mistakes will kill you in your future courses, especially Calc level classes, where the minus sign will give you a completely different answer. You should always check your work twice before you hand something in.

Actually, it'll start killing you once you get to polynomials and graphs, too.

[Jessweeee♪]

It's killing me now!



I blame EoFF.

[Hambone]

I might actually NEED help when I start polynomials. They're hard! I sucked at them last year.

[Momiji]

Polynomials are easy. I suck at graphing though.

I hate math altogether though; I'm much better at English.

[Hambone]

I like math, I'm just awful at it. I'm excellent at English, but I don't like it very much.