Online Pre Algebra Tutor
An Online Pre-Algebra Tutor is a Few Clicks Away!
So how do you get a Tutorzilla Pre Algebra Tutor? Well, first you need an internet connection and then you need to open up a browser to find our website. It's basically that simple. From there your first Pre Algebra session is FREE! You will notice when you sign up for your first session that No Credit Card is Required. We believe so much in our Pre Algebra tutoring that your first session is totally free with no strings attached! Just follow these simple steps to get immediate help in Pre Algebra:
Step 1:
Set Up an Account: This take very little time to do and it gives you access to our Tutoring Services. You can set up an account by clicking HERE.
Step 2:
Schedule your Pre Algebra Session: Use our Scheduler on Your Account page to book your Pre Algebra tutor for a date and time you need. This allows you to book a session in advance that will give you the help when and where you need it.
Step 3:
Meeting your Pre Algebra Tutor online: There is a very quick and easy way to meet up with your online tutor. Simply click on the session manager tab on Your Account page and look for your session, click the start session button and you will be instantly connected!
Those are the 3 steps. Tutorzilla Pre Algebra tutors are available 24 hours each and every day. So now is the time to get started!
Overview of Pre Algebra Concepts
Pre Algebra further develops problem solving and reasoning skills and bridges the gap between arithmetic and algebra. Your Pre Algebra Tutoring may consist of the following concepts: a review of natural and whole number arithmetic and an introduction to integers and negative numbers; manipulating fractions, decimals and percents; factorization and properties of operations; simple roots and exponential powers; rules for evaluating expressions; and the basic rules of equations.
Pre-algebra often includes some basic concepts from geometry, which include mostly algebraic geometry ideas such as area, volume, and perimeter. You will also learn how to use geometry, measurement and graphing to solve problems. Using online tutoring with Tutorzilla allows learning strategies to be tailored to each student for whatever concepts you might be struggling with in class.
Whole Numbers and Integers
From concepts we've mastered from Basic Math, Pre Algebra dives deeper into study of whole numbers. This includes naming, counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing whole numbers, as well as comparing whole number values and solving word problems.
Without any further ado, we now introduce the "integer". What is an integer, you may be wondering? The integers are the set of numbers including the whole numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, …) and their negative counterparts (0, −1, −2, −3, …). Integers are introduced along with absolute values and comparing. Integer multiplication/division and addition/subtraction is also covered. Does it sound as though we're speaking another language yet? Don't worry, you can sort through this new "mathspeak" with a math tutor who can help you look forward to Pop Quiz Tuesdays because you'll have this stuff down!
Fractions, Decimals and Percent
Thought you could keep on going in math without really understanding your fractions and decimals? Think again. In Pre Algebra, you will learn to manipulate fractions, decimals and percents. Some examples include: comparing and ordering fractions; adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators; comparing and ordering decimals; rounding decimals to the nearest tenth, hundredth and thousandth; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals; and calculating percent to apply to real world problems. You will learn how to convert between fractions, decimals and percent. Clear as mud? Sign up for your first session and you'll be on your way to being "that smart kid who gets it".
Factorization & Operation Properties
What is factorization? Nope, it doesn't have anything to do with "facts, just the facts m'am". Factorization or factoring is what we do to break down an object into its building blocks (factors), which when multiplied together give us what we started with. For example, the number 9 factors down to 3 x 3, and x2 − 6 factors down to (x − 3)(x + 2). No matter what, when we use factorization, we break something down into its simplest parts, or building blocks.
Stumped on what mathematical operations are and how they work? We have an online algebra tutor for you who can help you learn what an operation is, and what the difference is between the associative property and the distributive property.
Simple Square Roots and Exponential Powers
In your studies of Pre Algebra, you will be learning the simple concepts of a square root. What is it? The square root of a number "b" can be stated in mathspeak as a2 = b, or in other words, a number "a" whose "square" (the result of multiplying the number by itself) is b. So, every positive, (and by this we mean non-negative), real number "b" has a unique non-negative square root, called the principal square root.
Now don't think this means that square roots are overly happy or positive all the time: square roots can be negative numbers too. Every positive number "b" has two square roots: one negative and positive. This leads you to wonder what happens if we need to find the square root of a negative number? Your tutor can answer this one!
So we've seen it before with our square roots and a2. Exponentiation is the name for what happens when we take a number, the base a, and an exponent n. When n is a positive integer, exponentiation looks like repeated multiplication:
an = a x a x a...and so on for whatever the quantity of n is. What does that mean?
This means that a4 = a x a x a x a
As we've seen, the exponent is usually shown as a superscript to the right of the base. The exponentiation an can be read as: a to the n-th power or a to the power n. Some exponents can be read in a certain way; for example a2 is usually read as a squared and a3 as a cubed. Also, an can be defined even when n is a negative integer. But don't make the mistake that anything goes with base numbers and exponents! When the base a is not a positive real number and the exponent n is not an integer, then we have something that just won't fly in mathematics.
The Rules for Evaluating Expressions
When a number or expression is both preceded and followed by an operation, there is a rule that is required so that we know who goes first. And by "who", we mean the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, exponential power, etc. The order of operations is: exponents and roots first, multiplication and division second, and finally addition and subtraction. If we want to do addition and subtraction before we do the multiplication, we can use parentheses in the expression, like this: (2 + 7) x 9 = 81. Of course, this is a very simple example and you may have a more complicated one, but your Pre Algebra tutor can get you "in the know" for evaluating expressions in mathland.
Some Basic Rules for Equations
So by now you're catching on that math has a lot of rules. When you move forward to solving equations, you will learn some new rules. But first things first, what is an equation? An equation is a mathematical statement, in symbols, that two things are the same (or equivalent). Equations are usually identified by an equal sign, as in 4 + 2 = 6. Equalities may be true or false, and often contain variables for you to solve for. Letters from the beginning of the alphabet like a, b, c, ... are often considered constants, while letters from the end of the alphabet, like x, y, z, are usually considered variables. A variable often represents an "unknown" quantity that has the potential to change. Why do we have variables? Because they allow instructions to be specified in a general way, and variables serve as "placeholders" for any number. In this equation, 2x = x + x, x is serving a placeholder. So back to some basic rules for equations:
If we have a true equation, the following operations may be used to produce another true equation:
1. Any quantity can be added to both sides.
2. Any quantity can be subtracted from both sides.
3. Any quantity can be multiplied to both sides.
4. Any nonzero quantity can divide both sides.
5. Generally, any function can be applied to both sides.
If you find that you have no idea what we're talking about, don't worry! That's why you're here, so sign up with a great online Pre Algebra tutor today!
Geometry, Measurement and Graphing
Phew! We now we move into the final section of Pre-Algebra: an introduction to Geometry. Geometric figures are introduced along with tools to find perimeter, circumference, area and volume. You will work with right triangles and solve word problems. Measurement will be introduced including measuring lengths, weights, volume and time. This will come up again in your high school and college studies, so make sure you know your stuff at this level!
Graphing begins with identifying components of a Coordinate Plane, including plotting points and lines. Linear equations are graphed and horizontal and vertical lines and defined. You will learn how to find intercepts and slopes of line along with solving systems of linear equations. Equations are solved using one, two and multi-step equations using inverse operation. You will also learn how to find distances between values on a number line.
Need a little homework help or algebra tutoring? Tutorzilla has great online pre algebra tutoring to help you gear up for your further algebra and advanced mathematics studies.
After you have all these skills mastered, you will be ready to expand your mind and progress to getting an online Algebra I Tutor!
