Well-Trained Mind Academy
AoPS Algebra 1 - Thinking Algebraically
Required Texts:
Rusczyk, Richard; Introduction to Algebra. Alpine, CA: Art of Problem Solving Incorporated, 2010
*Text covers both Algebra I and Algebra II topics. This course will cover chapters 1-13. ( ISBN:
978-1-934124-14-7)
Prerequisites:
Completion of AoPS Prealgebra or a similar rigorous pre-algebra course. Students should complete the
following readiness test to determine whether they should take the class. Students should complete the
readiness test without a calculator and without help. If a student is unable to complete at least 80% of the
Fundamentals section or fewer than half of the Problem Solving section correctly, please consider a
Pre-Algebra class.
Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Algebra Pretest
In addition, students should be comfortable using a keyboard to input work.
Note:
Students must be able to save and upload documents to Blackboard in PDF format.
Course Description: Prepares the student for challenging upper level courses such as Algebra 2, Number
Theory, Geometry and other exciting classes. Algebra 1 focuses on problem-solving, logic, and
engagement with upper-level math to foster in-depth understanding and enjoyment. The class will
strengthen the student’s ability to wrestle with tough problems and explain answers in words. Topics
include but are not limited to: evaluation of multi-variable expressions, distribution and factoring, single
and multivariable linear equations, ratios and percents, direct, inverse, and joint proportion, graphing
lines using slope formula, intercepts, inequalities, and quadratic equations.
Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss problems and to work individually and in
groups to solve assigned problems. Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours each week working on
assignments for this class.
Course Assignments:
Assignments consist of problems from the text to be completed at home and submitted via Blackboard
as well as online problems. Several problems each week involve a proof-type response where a written
solution, showing and explaining steps to arrive at the correct answer, must be given. In addition,
students will participate in regular discussion board assignments. Extra practice will be given as needed
to aid learning using Alcumus, a free review game provided through the Art of Problem Solving site.
Regular tests consist of no more than 15 problems, similar to those found in the texts. Active
participation during the weekly class times is expected and will be counted for a percentage of a
student’s overall grade.
Sample problems are found here: Introduction to Algebra Sample Problems
Grading, Correcting and Accommodations: Solutions to online problems will be provided. Students will
be expected to rework problems they have missed may re-submit work to improve a grade prior to the
due date. Assignments will be available for a minimum of 10 days. Late work will receive a letter grade
reduction (10 points) for every day that the work is late, up to seven days. (For example, work due on a
Friday which is submitted on a Monday will receive a grade of no more than 70%, if the grade would
have been 80%, the late grade is 50%.) After 7 days, late work will not be accepted. Students are
responsible to seek help when needed and the instructor is available to meet with students for extra help
by appointment. If a student has a disability that may have some impact on work in this class and for
which he or she may require accommodations, please contact the instructor prior to the first week of
class.
Grades will be based on:
● Homework - 50% (Weekly Homework Problems - 30%, Proof Problems - 20%)
● Discussion response questions - 15%
● Class Engagement and Participation - 10%
● Regular Tests/Exams - 25%
Example Schedule:
Week Text Sections/Topics (subject to change)
Orientation Introduction to Instructor, Class policies,
Week Navigating the online classroom.
1 1.1 Numbers
1.2 Order of Operations
1.3 When Does Order Matter?
1.4 Distribution and Factoring
2 1.5 Equations
1.6 Exponents
1.7 Fractional Exponents
3 1.8 Radicals
1.9 Summary of Follow the Rules
2.1 Expressions
4 2.2 Arithmetic with Expressions
2.3 Distribution, Subtraction, and Factoring
2.4 Fractions
5 2.5 Summary of X Marks the Spot
3.1 Solving Linear Equations I
3.2 Solving Linear Equations II
6 3.3 Word Problems
3.4 Linear Equations in Disguise
3.5 Summary
7 Fall Break - No classes on Monday
4.1 Evaluating Multivariable Equations
4.2 Still more Arithmetic
Test on Chapters 2 & 3
8 4.3 Distribution and Factoring
4.4 Fractions
9 4.5 Equations
4.6 Summary
End of first quarter
10 5.1 Introduction to Two-Variable Linear Equations
5.2 Substitution
11 5.3 Elimination
5.4 Word Problems
5.5 More Linear Equations in Disguise
12 5.6 More Variables
5.7 Summary
6.1 Basic Ratio Problems
13 6.2 More Challenging Ratio Problems
6.3 Conversion Factors
14 6.4 Percent
6.5 Percentage Problems
6.6 Summary
15 Thanksgiving Break
16 7.1 Direct Proportion
7.2 Inverse Proportion
7.3 Joint Proportion
17 7.4 Rate Problems
Review and challenge
18 Exam Week - No classes
End of Second Quarter
No Classes - Winter Break
19 Semester 1 review
8.1 The Number Line and the Cartesian Plane
20 8.2 Introduction to Graphing Linear Equations
8.3 Using Slope in Problems
21 8.4 Find the Equation
8.5 Slope and Intercept
22 8.6 Comparing Lines
8.7 Summary
23 9.1 The Basics
9.2 Which is Greater?
24 9.3 Linear Inequalities
9.4 Graphing Inequalities
25 9.5 Optimization
9.6 Summary
26 10.1 Getting Started with Quadratics
10.2 Factoring Quadratics I
No Class - Spring Break
End of Third Quarter
27 10.3 Factoring Quadratics II
10.4 Sums and Products of Roots of a Quadratic
28 10.5 Extensions and Applications
10.6 Summary
29 11.1 Squares of Binomials
11.2 Difference of Squares
30 11.3 Sum and Difference of Squares
31 11.4 Rationalizing Denominators
11.5 Simon’s Favorite Factoring Tricks
32 12.1 Complex Numbers
12.2 Imaginary Numbers
12.3 Complex Numbers
33 12.4 Summary
13.1 Squares of Binomials Revisited
34 13.2 Completing the Square
13.3 The Quadratic Formula
35 Exam Week - No Classes
Courses end
