Algebra is a branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols. In elementary algebra, those symbols (today written as Latin and Greek letters) represent ...

An equation of the form \(y = mx + c\) where \(m\) and \(c\) are numbers, gives a straight line when values of \(x\) and corresponding values of \(y\) are plotted on a grid. A straight line is a ...

There is a direct proportion between two values when one is a multiple of the other. For example, \(1\text{cm} = 10\text{mm}.\) To convert \(\text{cm}\) to \(\text{mm}\), the multiplier is always 10.

Algebra can be demystified with the right approach. Transforming word problems into mathematical expressions is crucial, alongside using formula sheets and colour-coding equations for clarity.

Courtney Gibbons is affiliated with the Association for Women in Mathematics and the American Mathematical Society. You might remember learning about the quadratic formula to figure out the solutions ...