I have enjoyed working with you this past semester, and leave you in good hands with Mrs. Hackleman for the rest of the year.  Do problems, think about what you are doing, and connect what you are learning to what you already know.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I look forward to seeing you around the school!

Mr. Ford

Algebra

Algebra is a universal language that is used to describe and analyze quantitative relationships. While it is a prerequisite for most science and math courses that students may take in the years to come, that is not the only reason for studying it.

Mastering algebra helps students understand why a number of mental arithmetic approaches work. It provides a convenient way to investigate a quantitative relationship, then compare and contrast it to similar ones (similar to what is often done in most other academic fields of study). But most all, by providing a means of describing quantitative relationships concisely, algebra helps us think about the patterns described by each relationship so that we can understand it better, recognize it when we encounter it in our lives, and make accurate predictions.

Weather Forecasts, Economics, Astronomy, Finance, Statistics, Inventory Management, Advertising, Climate Science and many other fields of work depend on accurate quantitative analysis and predictions. Algebra is a tool used in all of these fields of work and study, and more. Studying algebra helps students learn to work with abstract concepts, and link them to the realities in the world around us.

For course information and materials, please click on the relevant course link – either in the column on the left below my name, or here:

• Algebra I N (Roots)
  
• Algebra II Y (Substitutions)
  
• Algebra II N-1 (Matrix)
  
• Algebra II N-2 (Reals)