Richard W. Fisher - No-Nonsense Algebra: Part of the Mastering Essential Math Skills Series

MASTERING ESSENTIAL
MATH SKILLS No-Nonsense Algebra Master Algebra the Easy Way! Richard W. Fisher Americas Math Teacher, Richard W. Fisher,
will carefully guide you through each and every topic
with his award-winning system of teaching. Go to www.NoNonsenseAlgebra.com
for instant access to the Online Video Lessons. Your access code is: D2GH7Y4M3Dedicated to my lovely wife, Elena,
and to my beautiful daughter, Vica.
Thank you for the inspiration. Mastering Essential Math Skills: No-Nonsense AlgebraCopyright 2011, Richard W.

Fisher. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval systemexcept by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Webwithout permission in writing from the publisher. For information, please contact Math Essentials, P.O. Box 1723, Los Gatos, CA 95031. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein.

Any slighting of people, places, or organizations is unintentional. ISBN 978-0-9843629-9-8 LCCN 2011926249 IntroductionABOUT THIS BOOK What sets this book apart from other books is its approach. It is not just an algebra text, but a system of teaching algebra. Each of the short, concise, self-contained lessons contain five key parts: 1.A clear introduction and explanation of each new topic, written in a way that is easy for the student to understand 2.A Helpful Hints section that offers important tips and shortcuts 3.Examples with step-by-step solutions 4.Written Exercises with answers in a the back of the book 5.A Review section that ensures that the student remembers what has been learned Each lesson contains the necessary structure and guidance that will ensure that the student will learn algebra in a systematic, step-by-step, logical manner. The book is set up in chapters, and there is a natural flow from each lesson to the next. At the end of each chapter there is a Chapter Review section.

A comprehensive Final Exam is also included. HOW TO USE THIS BOOKStep 1 Carefully read the Introduction that begins each lesson. This section will include essential information about each new topic. Here you will find explanations as well as important terms and definitions. Step 2 Carefully read the Helpful Hints section. This section will provide important tips and shortcuts.

When completing the written exercises, it is often helpful to refer back to this section. Step 3 Carefully go through the Examples. Each example shows the step-by-step process needed to complete each problem THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP THAT I CAN OFFER WHEN USING THIS BOOK!Copy each example on a piece of paper. Than read and copy each of the steps. I promise that by doing this, you will find it much easier to understand the problem. There is something very special about writing a problem down and then writing out the steps.

It makes the learning process so much more effective. When you do this, you are fully involved and will have a much deeper understanding. Just simply reading a problem and the steps is not nearly as effective. Step 4 Work the written Exercises. If necessary, go back and re-read the Introduction and the Helpful Hints. Step 5 Complete the Review section. Step 5 Complete the Review section.

The review problems will ensure that you remember what you have learned. Step 6 After completing the Exercises and Review, correct your work. The Solutions section is located in the back of the book. HOW TO USE THE FREE ONLINE VIDEO LESSONSwww.nononsensealgebra.com Go to www.nononsensealgebra.com and you will find a corresponding video lesson for each lesson in the book. The author, award-winning teacher, Richard W. Fisher, will carefully guide you through each topic, step-by-step.

Each lesson will provide easy-to-understand instruction, and the student can work examples right along with Mr. Fisher. Its like having your own personal math tutor available 24/7. After the video lesson, you can go to the book and complete the lesson. The book combined with the video lessons will turbo-charge your ability to master algebra. Start each lesson by watching the Online Tutorial Video that corresponds with the lesson in the book. Start each lesson by watching the Online Tutorial Video that corresponds with the lesson in the book.

Dont be passive. Work right along with the instructor, showing all your work. You will learn a lot more this way. Next, carefully read the Introduction that begins each lesson. After that, carefully read the Helpful Hints section. Next come the Examples.

For maximum benefit, dont just read the examples, but copy each example and all of the steps. There is something very special about writing down a problem and all the steps. It helps you to learn much more effectively. You are now ready to work the Exercises. Make an effort to write as neatly as possible, and show all of your steps. If you experience difficulties, remember to go back to the Introduction or the Helpful Hints section for help.

Also, it might be good to go through the Online Tutorial Video a second time. The last part of each lesson is the Review section. Learning requires repetition. Just ask any athlete or musician. You have to practice to get good at anything. Once you have completed the entire lesson, use the Solutions section in the back of the book to correct your work. Once you have completed the entire lesson, use the Solutions section in the back of the book to correct your work.

It is important to re-work any problems that were worked incorrectly. You need to find out what caused your mistakes. That way, you can avoid making the same mistake in the future. After following the tips on this page, you are ready to move on to the next lesson. 1-1 Adding IntegersINTRODUCTIONIntegers are the set of whole numbers and their opposites. Integers to the left of zero are negative and less than zero.

Integers to the right of zero are positive and greater than zero. When two integers are on a number line, the one farthest to the right is greater. Remember the following when adding integers. Helpful Hints When adding integers, always find the sign of the answer first. Any number with no sign is assumed to be positive. The sum of two negatives is a negative.