Great courses (DVD). Science & mathematics.

Producer, Matt Costanza ; academic content supervisor, Marcy McDonald ; editors, Dan Shine, Nick Vaka

Thirty-six thirty minute lectures by Dr. James A. Sellers, Professor of Mathematics and Director of Undergraduate Mathematics at The Pennsylvania State University

Algebra I is one of the most critical courses that students take in high school. Not only does it introduce a powerful reasoning tool with applications in many different careers, it is a gateway to higher education. Because algebra involves a new way of thinking, it can be especially challenging. Professor Sellers begins with a review of fractions, decimals, percents, positive and negative numbers, and numbers raised to various powers. Variables are the building blocks of algebraic expressions, and after completing a carefully crafted series of gradually more challenging problems, students will be familiar with the terminology and symbolic nature of first-year algebra. Students will understand how to represent various types of functions (linear, quadratic, rational, and radical) using algebraic rules, tables of data, and graphs. They will also become acquainted with the types of problems that can be solved using such functions, with a particular eye toward solving various types of equations and inequalities

DVD

Part 1: Disc 1. Lecture 1. An introduction to the course ;

Lecture 2.

Order of operations ;

Lecture 3.

Percents, decimals, and fractions ;

Lecture 4.

Variables and algebraic expressions ;

Lecture 5.

Operations and expressions ;

Lecture 6.

Principles of graphing in 2 dimensions --

Disc 2. Lecture 7.

Solving linear equations, part 1 ;

Lecture 8.

Solving linear equations, part 2 ;

Lecture 9.

Slope of a line ;

Lecture 10.

Graphing linear equations, part 1 ;

Lecture 11.

Graphing linear equations, part 2 ;

Lecture 12.

Parallel and perpendicular lines Part 2: Disc 3. Lecture 13. Solving word problems with linear equations ;

Lecture 14.

Linear equations for real-world data ;

Lecture 15.

Systems of linear equations, part 1 ;

Lecture 16.

Systems of linear equations, part 2 ;

Lecture 17.

Linear inequalities ;

Lecture 18.

An introduction to quadratic polynomials --

Disc 4. Lecture 19.

Factoring trinomials ;

Lecture 20.

Quadratic equations, factoring ;

Lecture 21.

Quadratic equations, the quadratic formula ;

Lecture 22.

Quadratic equations, completing the square ;

Lecture 23.

Representations of quadratic functions ;

Lecture 24.

Quadratic equations in the real world Part 3: Disc 5. Lecture 25. Pythagorean theorem ;

Lecture 26.

Polynomials of higher degree ;

Lecture 27.

Operations and polynomials ;

Lecture 28.

Rational expressions, part 1 ;

Lecture 29.

Rational expressions, part 2 ;

Lecture 30.

Graphing rational functions, part 1 --

Disc 6. Lecture 31.

Graphing rational functions, part 2 ;

Lecture 32.

Radical expressions ;

Lecture 33.

Solving radical equations ;

Lecture 34.

Graphic radical functions ;

Lecture 35.

Sequences and pattern recognition, part 1 ;

Lecture 36.

Sequences and pattern recognition, part 2