CoMo Science

Can I Skip Prealgebra?

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in
  1. Introduction
  2. Topics Covered in Prealgebra
  3. Do I have to master all of this before taking Algebra?
  4. Take a placement test
  5. Studying on your own
  6. Talk to your school

Introduction

Prealgebra reviews many topics that have previously been covered in earlier math classes. However, it is very important that a student have a solid understanding of these topics before starting algebra.

Some students are able to skip prealgebra.

Topics Covered in Prealgebra

Here is an example of the table of contents of a Prealgebra book (from mymathlight.com)

  • Unit 1: Foundations
  • Unit 2: Integers
  • Unit 3: Basic Equations
  • Unit 4: Factors and Exponents
  • Unit 5: Fractions
  • Unit 6: Percent
  • Unit 7: Applying Equations & Inequalities
  • Unit 8: Roots & Radicals
  • Unit 9: Relations & Functions
  • Unit 10: Relationships in Geometry
  • Unit 11: Area & Volume
  • Unit 12: Probability & Statistics
  • Unit 13: Polynomials
  • Bonus Unit: Sequences and Changing Bases

Unit 1 – Foundations

  • 1.1 Classifying Real Numbers
  • 1.2 Algebraic Expressions
  • 1.3 Order of Operations
  • 1.4 Exponents
  • 1.5 Fractions & Decimals
  • 1.6 Writing Algebraic Expressions
  • 1.7 Properties of Numbers

Unit 2 – Integers

  • 2.1 Opposite Numbers
  • 2.2 Adding Same-Signed Integers
  • 2.3 Adding Opposite-Signed Integers
  • 2.4 Adding Integers Efficiently
  • 2.5 Subtracting Integers
  • 2.6 Multiplying Integers
  • 2.7 Dividing Integers
  • 2.8 Adding Like Terms
  • 2.9 The Distributive Property

Unit 3 – Basic Equations

  • 3.1 Introduction to Equations
  • 3.2 Solving Equations by Addition
  • 3.3 Solving Equations by Multiplication
  • 3.4 Equation Time Savers
  • 3.5 Two-step Equations
  • 3.6 Simplifying & Solving Equations
  • 3.7 Introduction to Inequalities
  • 3.8 Solving Inequalities
  • 3.9 Writing Equations
  • 3.10 Writing Inequalities

Unit 4 – Factors and Exponents

  • 4.1 Prime Numbers
  • 4.2 Greatest Common Factor
  • 4.3 Least Common Multiple
  • 4.4 Fractions & Mixed Numbers
  • 4.5 Exponent Properties
  • 4.6 Zero & Negative Exponents
  • 4.7 Scientific Notation
  • 4.8 Operations in Scientific Notation

Unit 5 – Fractions

  • 5.1 Reducing Fractions
  • 5.2 Multiplying Fractions
  • 5.3 Adding Fractions with Equivalent Denominator
  • 5.4 Adding Fractions with Different Denominators
  • 5.5 Dividing Fractions
  • 5.6 Operations with Rational Numbers
  • 5.7 Operations with Mixed Numbers
  • 5.8 Decimal Operations

Unit 6 – Percent

  • 6.1 Ratios & Rates
  • 6.2 Proportions Part 1 & 2
  • 6.3 Fractions, Decimals, & Percent
  • 6.4 Solving Percent problems
  • 6.5 Applying Percent
  • 6.6 Percent Increase
  • 6.7 Percent Decrease
  • 6.8 Sales tax & tips
  • 6.9 Interest
  • 6.10 Percent Change

Unit 7 – Applying Equations & Inequalities

  • 7.1 Simplifying & Solving Equations
  • 7.2 Equations with Variables on Both Sides
  • 7.3 Equations with Fractions
  • 7.4 Applying Equations
  • 7.5 Equations with Circles
  • 7.6 Multi-Step Inequalities
  • 7.7 Applying Inequalities

Unit 8 – Roots & Radicals

  • 8.1 Understanding Roots
  • 8.2 Multiplying Radicals
  • 8.3 Simplifying Square Roots
  • 8.4 Solving Rational Equations
  • 8.5 The Pythagorean Theorem
  • 8.6 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles
  • 8.7 Sine, Cosine & Tangent Ratios
  • 8.8 Find the Side of a Right Triangle

Unit 9 – Relations & Functions

  • 9.1 The Coordinate Plane
  • 9.2 Functions
  • 9.3 Interpreting Solutions of Functions
  • 9.4 Graphing Functions With an x/y Chart
  • 9.5 Finding x & y Intercepts (Optional Lesson)
  • 9.6 Finding the Slope of Two Points of a Line
  • 9.7 Graphing Functions Using Slope-Intercept Form
  • 9.8 Scatter Plots
  • 9.9 Graphing Linear Inequalities

Unit 10 – Relationships in Geometry

  • 10.1 Angle Types and Relationships
  • 10.2 Perpendicular & Parallel Lines
  • 10.3 Identifying Polygons
  • 10.4 Quadrilaterals & Perimeter
  • 10.5 Congruent Polygons
  • 10.6 Transformations
  • 10.7 Similar Polygons

Unit 11 – Area & Volume

  • 11.1 Area of Parallelograms
  • 11.2 Area of Triangles and Trapezoids
  • 11.3 Area of Circles
  • 11.4 Surface Area of Prisms
  • 11.5 Surface Area of Cylinders & Spheres
  • 11.6 Volume of Prisms & Cylinders
  • 11.7 Volume of Pyramids, Cones & Spheres

Unit 12 – Probability & Statistics

  • 12.1 Mean, Median, Mode and Range
  • 12.2 Box and Whisker Plots
  • 12.3 Stem and Leaf Plots
  • 12.4 Interpreting Graphs
  • 12.5 Fundamental Principle of Counting & Factorial
  • 12.6 Permutations
  • 12.7 Combinations
  • 12.8 Probability
  • 12.9 Independent & Dependent Events

Unit 13: Polynomials

  • 13.1 Classifying Polynomials
  • 13.2 Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
  • 13.3 Multiplying Monomials
  • 13.4 Monomials & Powers
  • 13.5 Multiplying Binomials
  • 13.6 Non-linear Functions

Bonus Unit

  • 14.1 Arithmetic Sequences
  • 14.2 Arithmetic Sequence Sums
  • 14.3 Base 10 & Base 2

Do I have to master all of this before taking Algebra?

No. Most of this will be reviewed in Algebra 1. However, you will struggle more in Algebra 1 if you do not already have a good grasp of many of these topics. The more that you understand of the topics covered in Prealgebra, the easier you will find Algebra 1.

Of the topics listed above, you should probably have a good understanding of at least 70% of the first 11 units if you want to skip Prealgebra.

If you have a history of being very quick to pick up mathematical concepts in your earlier math classes, you may do fine in Algebra 1 even if you are not familiar with some of the concepts presented in Prealgebra.

Take a placement test

One of the best ways to know if you are ready for Algebra 1 is to take a placement test. Here is an example that is available on the internet:

Instructions for Algebra 1 Placement Test (diveintomath.com)

Your school counselor can arrange for you to take a placement test to see if you are ready for the Algebra 1 class at your school.

Studying on your own

If you feel like you can do it, but want to prepare to take the placement test, you can study the parts that you are not as familiar with using:

Pre-algebra | Khan Academy

Talk to your school

This is just meant to help you understand what is covered in Prealgebra and to point you to some resources that might be helpful. However, it is important that you talk to your school counselor (and possibly the Algebra 1 teacher) as soon as possible if you are planning to skip Prealgebra.

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