Week 8 · Readings & resources

Week 8 — Readings & Resources

College Algebra Free sample edition

Your primary reading is Chapter 8 (in this module). Everything below is the optional, go-deeper layer — pick what helps, skip the rest.

How to use this page

This page has 11 items (5 readings and 6 videos). Allow 69–84 minutes for everything. Each group points back to the matching chapter section and review segment, so use the full menu for the moves that still feel shaky, or take the quick path below.

Every video here has captions: turn them on with the CC button in the player. The chapter covers the same ideas in text.

Pick-one quick path (19–23 min total)

① Which rule, which sign? Simplifying and one-variable solving

Chapter 8, Section “Simplify: follow the order and the exponent rules” · Session 1, Segment 1, “Simplify and solve one variable” · Remember: an exponent binds before a leading minus sign, and dividing an inequality by a negative number flips the sign.

Simplifying Exponents With Fractions, Variables, Negative Exponents, Multiplication & Division — The Organic Chemistry Tutor — a long run of worked simplifications that use the product, quotient, and power rules together; pause after each one and try it before the reveal. (video, 12 min) (captions: automatic)
Laws of Exponents — Math is Fun — a friendly one-page summary of every exponent law with small numeric checks, useful as a last look before the midterm. (reading, 5–8 min)
Ex: Solve a Linear Inequality Requiring Multiple Steps (One Var) — Mathispower4u — one short example of a multi-step inequality, including the moment the sign flips, with the answer written in interval notation. (video, 3 min) (captions: creator)
Solving Absolute Value Equations - Example 2 — Patrick J — a quick example of splitting one absolute-value equation into two and solving each. (video, 2 min) (captions: automatic)
Solving Simpler Absolute-Value Equations — Purplemath — a step-by-step page on why an absolute-value equation splits into two cases and why a negative right side has no solution. (reading, 6–9 min)

② What goes in, and where do two lines meet? Functions, lines, and systems

Chapter 8, Section “Work with functions: evaluate, find a domain, compose” · Session 1, Segment 2, “Functions, lines, and systems” · Remember: wrap every input in parentheses, and check a system's pair in both equations.

Ex: Determine the Domain of a Square Root Function — Mathispower4u — short worked examples of setting the radicand to zero or more and writing the domain in interval notation. (video, 4 min) (captions: creator)
Domain, Range and Codomain — Math is Fun — a plain-language look at what a domain is, with pictures of inputs and outputs; use it while completing the Week-8 module overview. (reading, 5–8 min)
Elimination Method For Solving Systems of Linear Equations Using Addition and Multiplication — The Organic Chemistry Tutor — several systems solved by adding the equations, some after multiplying one first, each with its check. (video, 10 min) (captions: automatic)

③ Which method for this quadratic? Reading the cue before you start

Chapter 8, Section “Choose a method: name the core move before you start” · Session 1, Segment 3, “Choosing a method” · Remember: read the equation's form first, then pick factoring, the square root property, or the formula.

Determining the Best Method to Solve Quadratic Equations — Aaron Tyson — a walk through several quadratic equations, naming the fastest method for each before solving. This builds on Week 7's work with solving quadratic equations. (video, 11 min) (captions: automatic)
Solving Quadratic Equations: Picking a Method — Purplemath — advice and examples on checking for a quick factoring or square-rooting before reaching for the formula. Stop here before graphing parabolas; next week takes that up. (reading, 8–12 min)

Optional one-stop reference (free online reference)

Quadratic Equation — Wolfram MathWorld — a mathematics encyclopedia's entry on the quadratic equation; read the opening statement of the formula and the note on the discriminant, and skip the later sections on higher theory. (reading, 3–5 min)

Heads-up (links rot): these point to outside sites that occasionally move or rename pages. If a link ever fails, tell your instructor and use the reference above in the meantime.

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