Having trouble understanding algebra? Do algebraic concepts, equations, and logic just make your head spin? We have great news: Head First Algebra is designed for you. Full of engaging stories and practical, real-world explanations, this book will help you learn everything from natural numbers and exponents to solving systems of equations and graphing polynomials.Along the way, you'll go beyond solving hundreds of repetitive problems, and actually use what you learn to make real-life decisions. Does it make sense to buy two years of insurance on a car that depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot? Can you really afford an XBox 360 and a new iPhone? Learn how to put algebra to work for you, and nail your class exams along the way.Your time is way too valuable to waste struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitivescience and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First Algebra uses a visually rich format specifically designed to take advantage of the way your brain really works.

Autorentext

Tracey Pilone is a freelance technical writer who has supported mission planning and RF analysis software for the Navy. She is a licensed Civil Engineer who has worked in construction management for several years in Washington DC. She has a Civil Engineering degree from Virgina Tech and a Masters of Education from the University of Virginia.

Dan Pilone is a Senior Software Architect with Blueprint Technologies, Inc. He has designed and implemented systems for Hughes, ARINC, UPS, and the Naval Research Laboratory. He also teaches project management, software design, and software engineering at The Catholic University in Washington D.C. Dan has written several books on software development, including "UML 2.0 in a Nutshell" (0-596-00795-7) and "UML 2.0 Pocket Reference" (0-596-10208-9), both O'Reilly.

Zusammenfassung
Offers learners with the tools necessary to solve complex algebra problems by having them play games, solve puzzles, and ponder mysteries. This book helps readers to learn what they always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about natural numbers, exponents, graphs and graphing, polynomials, factoring, algebraic fractions, and solving equations.

Inhalt

; Advance Praise for Head First Algebra; Authors of Algebra; How to use this Book: Intro; Who is this book for?; We know what you're thinking; We know what your brain is thinking; Metacognition: thinking about thinking; Here's what WE did; Read Me; The technical review team; Acknowledgments; Safari® Books Online; Chapter 1: What is Algebra?: Solving for unknowns...; 1.1 It all started with a big gaming sale; 1.2 What does a system really cost?; 1.3 Algebra is about solving for unknowns; 1.4 Jo's got more unknowns; 1.5 X marks the spot unknown; 1.6 Equations are math sentences; 1.7 Now SOLVE for the unknown; 1.8 So which operation do you use when?; 1.9 Jo is ready to accessorize!; 1.10 Equation training; 1.11 Jo has an awesome setup!; 1.12 Math Toolbox; Chapter 2: (More) Complicated Equations: Taking Algebra on the road; 2.1 Paul loves "Pajama Death"; 2.2 Always start with what you know; 2.3 There's a COST for each guy; 2.4 Replace your words with numbers; 2.5 Now solve for g... one step at a time; 2.6 ... but you have to keep the equation equal!; 2.7 If you follow the rules, you'll ALWAYS get the right answer; 2.8 Whole numbers are usually easier to work with; 2.9 A variable can appear in an equation MORE THAN ONE TIME; 2.10 Checking your work proves your answer; 2.11 What's a road trip without some girls?; 2.12 We need another variable; 2.13 A term is a chunk of an algebraic equation; 2.14 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 3: Rules for Numeric Operations: Follow the rules; 3.1 Math or No Math; 3.2 There's an order for working expressions; 3.3 You can re-group your equations; 3.4 It's an important round...; 3.5 Distributing a value over a grouping doesn't change a problem's value; 3.6 A constant stands in for a number; 3.7 Roll the credits...; 3.8 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 4: Exponent Operations: Podcasts that spread like the plague (that's a good thing...); 4.1 Addie's got a podcast; 4.2 Let's mobilize Addie's listeners; 4.3 Can Addie and Alex get enough hits?; 4.4 Alex is flaking out on his sister; 4.5 There's always a villain...; 4.6 The order of operations says exponents FIRST; 4.7 A root is the INVERSE of an exponent; 4.8 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 5: Graphing: A picture's worth 1,000 words; 5.1 Edward's Lawn Mowing needs help...; 5.2 Why don't you just SHOW me the money?; 5.3 Now we can LOOK at Ed's cash pattern; 5.4 Graphs show an ENTIRE relationship; 5.5 Let's graph Ed's equation on the Cartesian Plane; 5.6 Ed's figuring out the SLOPE of lawns; 5.7 Linear equations in point-slope form; 5.8 How does a point and a slope get you a line?; 5.9 Let's use the point-slope form; 5.10 Equations also have a standard form; 5.11 The slope-intercept form is EASY to graph; 5.12 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 6: Inequalities: Can't quite get enough?; 6.1 Kathleen really loves football; 6.2 The cost of all players can't be more than $1,000,000; 6.3 Inequalities are COMPARISONS; 6.4 Inequalities involving some negative number operations need special treatment; 6.5 Negative inequalities work BACKWARD; 6.6 FLIP the inequality sign with negative multiplication and division; 6.7 When you're working with an inequality and negative multiplication or division...; 6.8 You can visualize a solution set on a number line; 6.9 Inequalities can have TWO variables; 6.10 Use a graph to visualize the solutions to an inequality; 6.11 Answers made in the shade; 6.12 Are you ready for some football?; 6.13 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 7: Systems of Equations: Know what you don't know; 7.1 A line means infinite solutions; 7.2 You can't have -1 gallons of liquid!; 7.3 How does the sparkling equation work?; 7.4 The INTERSECTION of the lines solves BOTH linear equations; 7.5 Solve multiple unknowns with a SYSTEM of EQUATIONS; 7.6 Two kinds of glasses... that's TWO unknowns; 7.7 Let's solve the glasses problem; 7.8 You can substitute substitution for graphing; 7.9 f is gone with almost no work; 7.10 Manipulate your equations for elimination; 7.11 Zach's party rocks!; 7.12 Sometimes two equations aren't two lines; 7.13 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 8: Expanding Binomials & Factoring: Breaking up is hard to do; 8.1 Math or No Math semi-regional masters final; 8.2 Who's right?; 8.3 Binomials are groups of two algebraic terms; 8.4 The distributive property, revisited; 8.5 Simplify binomials with the distributive property; 8.6 What about when the signs are the SAME?; 8.7 Sometimes there's just not a pattern...; 8.8 FOIL ALWAYS works; 8.9 Un-distribution is called FACTORING; 8.10 Factoring is un-mulitplying; 8.11 Factor by looking for common terms; 8.12 Zero times anything is 0; 8.13 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 9: Quadratic Equations: Getting out of line; 9.1 Head First U is at war!; 9.2 Jon's upgrading his technology; 9.3 Where does Jon put the catapult?; 9.4 You should always factor with a PLAN; 9.5 Pi Gamma Delta built a wall!; 9.6 9 feet is not a problem; 9.7 The quadratic formula; 9.8 Frat Wars, part deux; 9.9 How can you graph x2?; 9.10 A parabola is the shape of a quadratic equation; 9.11 Graphing a parabola depends upon the vertex; 9.12 Work with the parabola, the SMART way; 9.13 The discriminant can help with our graph, too; 9.14 Tools for your Algebra Toolbox; Chapter 10: Functions: Everyone has limits; 10.1 Pajama Death TV; 10.2 Equations have limits (most of the time); 10.3 The input limits are the domain of the function; 10.4 Functions have minimum and maximum outputs; 10.5 Algebra is really about relations; 10.6 Relations, equations, and functions all go TOGETHER; 10.7 Function graphs have LIMITS; 10.8 Just before the second episode of Pajama Death TV...; 1…