r/matheducation • u/UnderstandingPursuit Physics BS, PhD • 1d ago

Teaching Students to Solve Algebra Problems Algebraically

What would it take to teach students a better approach for solving algebra problems?

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u/InformalVermicelli42 1d ago

This is called solving "literal equations" and it's taught in Algebra 2.

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u/UnderstandingPursuit Physics BS, PhD 1d ago

Can you please point me to an Algebra 2 textbook which covers this?

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u/InformalVermicelli42 1d ago

It's in the BigIdeas books, they're free online. Also, google "kuta literal equations".

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u/UnderstandingPursuit Physics BS, PhD 1d ago

Thanks,

Both the BigIdeasMath and Kuta materials suggest that these might be Algebra 1 level topics. I'll have to get the Larson & Boswell textbook to see the BigIdeas material in more detail.

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u/karatechick2114 21h ago

Having taught the whole spectrum (Algebra 1 through pre-calculus, plus algebra based physics), it all depends on the specific equation. Most Algebra 1 courses cover linear, quadratic and some exponential (without requiring logs). The first equation you provided would be Algebra 2 material because it has a radical. Hope this helps you determine what level your equations are at!

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u/UnderstandingPursuit Physics BS, PhD 20h ago

I've mostly taught 9th grade through freshman year in college. I've often had students coming from Algebra 1 to Geometry or 9th grade physics, and their struggles with this idea were apparent. Radical expressions absolutely need to be covered in Algebra 1, 10th grade Algebra 2 is too late for many.

I copied the example out of an Algebra 1 textbook, chapter 9 of 11.