Prealgebra

Abstract

The core of Prealgebra is a textbook for a one-semester course that serves as a bridge between arithmetic and algebra. The basic philosophy of this book is to strengthen students’ arithmetic skills and introduce the fundamental concepts and vocabulary of algebra in a nurturing, non-threatening environment while addressing the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. Students who are taking Basic Mathematics and Prealgebra classes in college present a unique set of challenges. Many students in these classes have been unsuccessful in their prior math classes. They may think they know some math, but their Preface 1 Design Draft core knowledge is full of holes. Furthermore, these students need to learn much more than the course content. They need to learn study skills, time management, and how to deal with math anxiety. Some students lack basic reading and arithmetic skills. Prealgebra a could readily be used in courses named Basic Mathematics or Introductory Algebra. The organizationof Prealgebra makes it easy to adapt the book to suit a variety of course syllabi.