Pre-algebra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pre-algebra is a common name for a course in elementary mathematics. In the United States, it is typically taught between the seventh and ninth grades, although exceptionally mathematically gifted students have taken this course as early as fifth grade and sixth grade. The objective of pre-algebra is to prepare the student to the study of algebra.

Pre-algebra includes several broad subjects:

Review of natural- and whole-number arithmetic
Introduction of new types of numbers such as Integers, fractions, decimals and negative numbers.
Factorization of natural numbers.
Properties of operations (associative, distributive and so on).
Simple roots and powers.
Rules of evaluation of expressions, such as operator precedence and use of parentheses.
Basics of equations, including rules for invariant manipulation of equations.
variables and exponentiation.

Pre-algebra often includes some basic subjects from geometry, mostly the kinds that further understanding of algebra and show how it is used, such as area, volume, and perimeter.