This document contains reminders for school supplies needed by Monday, an overview of the 5 essential understandings of algebra, and 5 fraction practice questions. The 5 essential understandings are: 1) Algebra is a method for solving math problems, not the problems themselves. 2) Mathematics uses symbols as shortcuts. 3) Algebra rules come from natural number rules. 4) Algebra examines patterns and relationships between numbers. 5) Look for equality and use it to your advantage when solving problems. Mastering multiplication tables is also emphasized.

1. August 18, 2016
Today:
 Reminders
Algebra: Five Essential Understandings
Continue Practice Test: Five Fraction Questions

2. First: The Summer
Olympics

3. Reminders:
By Monday, You should have..
1. A 3 or 5 subject notebook
2. A gmail address, with your full name as part or
all of your username.
4. At least two pencils and an eraser.

4. Algebra is not a 'thing' -- it's a style, a process, a method for
solving problems. There are other methods for solving as well.
Algebra's not the fork, it's how you hold the fork.
1. There are no algebra problems; there are math problems that
you can use algebra to solve.
Algebra: 5 Essential Understandings
There's the trial and error or guess and check methods. These
methods may take you hours, days, or weeks to find a solution.
Algebra is really a time saving method for solving some types of
math problems.

5. 2. Mathematics uses lots of symbols. As in language (!, ., , ?, :,),
math symbols are used as shortcuts to express a certain
meaning. Examples of math symbols include.....
This unknown quantity is called a variable, because it
could be any number. When the variable is solved, it
becomes a constant.
Algebra: 5 Essential Understandings
Algebra adds only one additional symbol, the 'x'
or unknown number.

6. 3. All of the rules that are used in algebra are from the natural
rules of numbers. There are no 'algebra rules' or rules created
for algebra. Let's look at two examples:
5 Things....
a. "You have to change the sign when you move a number to
the other side of the equation"
8 + 7 = 15 8 = 15 - 7 8 + 7 = 15 7 = 15- 8
b. "You can do whatever you want to an equation, as long as
you do it to both sides. The equation will always be equal."
4. Algebra is based on the patterns of numbers and the
relationships between all numbers.
The sum of three consecutive numbers is 54. What are the
numbers?
The sum of three consecutive even numbers is 90. What are the
numbers?

7. 5 Things....
We did this yesterday when we had 1
−𝟏𝟑
𝟐𝟖
. We borrowed 1 in
the form of
𝟐𝟖
𝟐𝟖
, to make adding the fractions easier.
5. Look for equality and use it to your advantage.
𝟔
𝟐𝟒
+ 𝟏𝟑
𝟑𝟗
= 80% of 20 is...Is there another form of the
number that’s easier to use?
Just because a problem is written a certain way, you can always
substitute eqivalent numbers that are easier to work with.
In addition to understanding these 5 concepts, the single
greatest thing you can do for yourself is to....
KNOW YOUR MULTIPLICATION TABLES!!

8. Lastly, more fraction practice: 5 questions
𝟏
𝟔
+ (-
𝟑
𝟒
) 5
𝟖
𝟗
- (- 2
𝟏
𝟑
)
3
𝟐
𝟑
• 6
𝟐
𝟑
𝟏
𝟒
•
𝟐
𝟗
3
𝟐
𝟕
÷
𝟒
𝟗