Beginning Algebra Online Course

$159.00 


Optional course additions (check box to select):
Beginning Algebra Workbook $34.99 View details

Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra with Professor Edward Burger

Beginning algebra is a developmental course taught at colleges to prepare students for college-level math.  This course is a perfect supplement for college students already taking the course, or for preparing to take a college algebra course

Through Professor Burger's fun and effective videos, you can learn the tips and tricks you need to succeed in college math. Beginning Algebra includes printable full-color illustrated notes, automatically graded algebra problems with worked-out answers, and a glossary of mathematical terms, which makes learning beginning algebra online easy.  No textbook required.

The workbook (optional) comes with lecture notes, sample problems, and exercises so that you can study even when away from the computer.

Course Features

Video Lessons

199 engaging 5-10 minute video lessons
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Lesson Plan

Detailed, 37-week lesson plan and schedule
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Assessments

Automatically graded exercises and tests with step-by-step feedback
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Notes & Sample Problems

Illustrated course notes, sample problems & solutions
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What Parents Are Saying. . .
I love Thinkwell math! We tried a few different math programs but nothing compares to Thinkwell.The concepts are presented in a way that makes them so much easier to understand. I go through the lectures and problems with my son most of the time and I am finally learning geometry (my nemesis in high school and college). Professor Burger uses humor which makes it even better. We will definitely continue to use Thinkwell.
– Mary J.
"My ds age 11 have used Thinkwell pre-algebra and are now taking the beginning Algebra. We will continue to use it in the future. He enjoys Mr. Burgers humor and it keeps him engaged in the math. The courses are very comprehensive and it is easy for use to tailor the speed of each unit as needed. If he shows he can do the math with the practice test we skip the lectures. If he needs more work we use the problems in the separately purchased workbook. We have tried Singapore, Life of Fred and others. This is the only one he has stayed with for more than a courses worth”
– robin g
"When my 11 year old began watching the Beginning Algebra video- his two brothers- ages 8 and 16 joined him and they all watched the first few lessons together. They laughed and enjoyed Edward Burger. They are totally taken with him. They can't wait to continue-these summer vacations keep getting in the way! They have recounted some of the lessons at the dinner table and to friends. These are the first math lessons that have captured their attention and Burger makes it relevant and enjoyable. We will continue to try other courses.”
– Lori M
Course Overview

What you get

  • 12-month, online subscription to our complete Beginning Algebra course
  • 37-week, day-by-day course lesson plan
  • 195+ course lessons with streaming videos
  • Automatically graded drill-and-practice exercises with step-by-step answer feedback
  • Sample problems with solutions
  • Full color, illustrated course study notes
  • Beginning Algebra Chapter & Practice tests, a Midterm & Final Exam
  • Animated interactivities....and more!

How it works

  • Purchase Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra through our online store
  • Create an account username and password which will give you access to the online course section
  • Activate your 12-month subscription when you're ready
  • Login to the course website to access the online course materials, including streaming video lessons, exercises, quizzes, tests and more
  • Access your course anytime, anywhere, from any device
  • Your work is automatically tracked and updated in real-time
  • Grade reports and certificates of completion are available at request
About Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra Author, Edward Burger

Learn from award-winning mathematician Dr. Edward Burger

It's like having a world-class college professor right by your side teaching you Beginning Algebra.

  • "Global Hero in Education" by Microsoft Corporation
  • "America's Best Math Teacher" by Reader's Digest
  • Robert Foster Cherry Award Winner for Great Teaching
Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra Table of Contents
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1. Pre-Algebra Review

1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Beginning Algebra
1.1.2 Review of Arithmetic: Addition and Subtraction
1.1.3 Review of Arithmetic: Multiplication and Division
1.1.4 Top Ten List of Mistakes
1.2 Factors and Fractions
1.2.1 Factors and Primes
1.2.2 Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiples
1.2.3 Introduction to Fractions
1.2.4 Multiplying Fractions
1.2.5 Dividing Fractions
1.2.6 Adding Fractions
1.2.7 Subtracting Fractions
1.2.8 Mixed Numbers
1.2.9 Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
1.2.10 Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers
1.3 Decimals
1.3.1 Decimal Numbers
1.3.2 Multiplying and Dividing Decimals
1.3.3 Percent
1.3.4 Conversion between Fractions, Percents, and Decimals

2. Foundations of Algebra

2.1 The Real Number System
2.1.1 Real Numbers
2.1.2 Ordering Real Numbers
2.1.3 Arithmetic on the Number Line
2.1.4 Multiplying Real Numbers
2.1.5 Multiplying a Negative by a Negative: The Why
2.1.6 Dividing Real Numbers
2.1.7 Order of Operations
2.1.8 Properties of Real Numbers
2.2 Exponents, Exponential Notation, and Scientific Notation
2.2.1 Introduction to Exponents
2.2.2 Evaluating Exponential Expressions
2.2.3 Applying the Rules of Exponents
2.2.4 Evaluating Expressions with Negative Exponents
2.2.5 Converting between Decimal and Scientific Notation
2.3 Algebraic Expressions and the Language of Algebra
2.3.1 Algebraic Expressions
2.3.2 Introduction to Word Problems

3. Solving Equations

3.1 Introduction to Solving Equations
3.1.1 Equations
3.1.2 Addition Property of Equality
3.1.3 Multiplication Property of Equality
3.2 Further Techniques for Solving Equations
3.2.1 Solving Equations with the Variable on One Side
3.2.2 Solving Equations with the Variable on Both Sides
3.2.3 Equality or Identity?
3.2.4 Equivalent Equations and Equations with No Solution

4. Linear Equations and Inequalities

4.1 Formulas and Word Problems
4.1.1 Solving Literal Equations
4.1.2 Formulas
4.1.3 Formulas: Temperature Conversion and Rate
4.1.4 Ratios and Proportions
4.1.5 More Ratios and Proportions
4.1.6 Finding a Perimeter
4.1.7 Solving a Linear Geometry Problem
4.1.8 Solving for Constant Velocity
4.1.9 Solving a Business Problem
4.1.10 Solving a Mixture Problem
4.1.11 Solving an Investment Problem
4.1.12 Solving for Consecutive Numbers
4.1.13 Finding an Average
4.2 Inequalities in One Variable
4.2.1 Introduction to Inequalities
4.2.2 Solving Inequalities
4.2.3 Solving Word Problems with Inequalities
4.3 Compound Inequalities
4.3.1 Sets, Intersections, and Unions
4.3.2 Solving Compound Inequalities
4.3.3 More On Compound Inequalities
4.4 Absolute-Value Equations
4.4.1 Matching Number Lines with Absolute Value
4.4.2 Solving Absolute-Value Equations
4.4.3 Solving Equations with Two Absolute-Value Expressions
4.5 Absolute-Value Inequalities
4.5.1 Solving Absolute-Value Inequalities
4.5.2 Solving Absolute-Value Inequalities: More Examples

5. Polynomials

5.1 Polynomial Basics
5.1.1 Determining Components and Degree
5.1.2 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
5.1.3 Multiplying Polynomials
5.2 Techniques for Multiplying Polynomials
5.2.1 The FOIL Method
5.2.2 Multiplying Big Products
5.2.3 Using Special Products
5.3 Techniques for Factoring
5.3.1 Factoring Using the Greatest Common Factor
5.3.2 Factoring by Grouping
5.3.3 Factoring Trinomials: The Guess and Check Method
5.3.4 Factoring Trinomials Completely
5.3.5 Factoring Trinomials: The Grouping Method
5.4 Special Factoring
5.4.1 Factoring Perfect-Square Trinomials
5.4.2 Factoring the Difference of Two Squares
5.4.3 Factoring the Sums and Differences of Cubes
5.4.4 Factoring by Any Method
5.5 Solving Equations by Factoring
5.5.1 The Zero Factor Property
5.6 Division of Polynomials
5.6.1 Using Long Division with Polynomials
5.6.2 Long Division: Another Example
5.7 Synthetic Division
5.7.1 Using Synthetic Division with Polynomials
5.7.2 More Synthetic Division
5.8 The Remainder Theorem
5.8.1 Using the Remainder Theorem
5.8.2 More on the Remainder Theorem

6. Rational Expressions

6.1 The Basics of Rational Expressions
6.1.1 An Introduction to Rational Expressions
6.1.2 Working with Fractions
6.1.3 Writing Rational Expressions in Lowest Terms
6.2 Operations with Rationals
6.2.1 Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
6.2.2 Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
6.2.3 Rewriting Complex Fractions
6.3 Equations with Rationals
6.3.1 Solving a Linear Equation with Rationals
6.3.2 Solving a Linear Equation with Restrictions
6.4 Inequalities with Rationals
6.4.1 Solving Rational Inequalities
6.4.2 Solving Rational Inequalities: Another Example
6.4.3 Determining Domain
6.5 Applications
6.5.1 Solving a Problem about Work
6.5.2 Average Speed
6.5.3 Resistors in Parallel
6.6 Variation
6.6.1 An Introduction to Variation
6.6.2 Direct Proportion
6.6.3 Inverse Proportion
6.6.4 Joint and Combined Proportion

7. Relations and Functions

7.1 The Rectangular Coordinate System
7.1.1 Using the Cartesian System
7.1.2 Thinking Visually
7.2 An Introduction to Functions
7.2.1 Introducing Relations and Functions
7.2.2 Functions and the Vertical-Line Test
7.2.3 Function Notation and Values
7.3 Domain and Range
7.3.1 Finding Domain and Range
7.3.2 Domain and Range: An Explicit Example
7.3.3 Satisfying the Domain of a Function
7.3.4 Graphing Important Functions
7.4 The Algebra of Functions
7.4.1 Operations on Functions
7.4.2 Composite Functions
7.4.3 Components of Composite Functions
7.5 The Slope of a Line
7.5.1 An Introduction to Slope
7.5.2 Finding the Slope Given Two Points
7.6 Graphing Linear Equations
7.6.1 Using Intercepts to Graph Lines
7.6.2 Working with Specific Lines
7.6.3 Interpreting Slope from a Graph
7.6.4 Graphing with a Point and the Slope
7.7 Linear Equations
7.7.1 Writing an Equation in Slope-Intercept Form
7.7.2 Writing an Equation Given Two Points
7.7.3 Writing an Equation in Point-Slope Form
7.7.4 Matching a Slope-Intercept Equation with Its Graph
7.7.5 Slope for Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
7.8 Applications of Linear Concepts
7.8.1 Constructing a Linear Model from a Set of Data
7.8.2 Scatterplots and Predictions
7.8.3 Linear Cost and Revenue

8. Roots and Radicals

8.1 Rational Exponents and Radicals
8.1.1 Converting Rational Exponents and Radicals
8.1.2 Radical Notation and Properties of Roots
8.1.3 Variables and Negative Values under a Radical
8.2 Simplifying Radical Expressions
8.2.1 Simplifying Radicals
8.2.2 Simplifying Radical Expressions with Variables
8.3 Operations with Radical Expressions
8.3.1 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
8.3.2 Rationalizing Denominators
8.4 Equations with Radicals
8.4.1 Extraneous Roots
8.4.2 Solving an Equation Containing a Radical
8.4.3 Solving Equations with Two Radical Expressions
8.4.4 Solving an Equation with Rational Exponents
8.5 Complex Numbers
8.5.1 Introducing and Writing Complex Numbers
8.5.2 Rewriting Powers of i
8.5.3 Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
8.5.4 Multiplying Complex Numbers
8.5.5 Dividing Complex Numbers
8.6 Applications
8.6.1 Finding the Length of the Diagonal of a Cube
8.6.2 Finding the Distance and the Midpoint between Two Points
8.6.3 Applications in Meteorology

9. Quadratic Equations

9.1 The Basics of Quadratics
9.1.1 An Introduction to Quadratics
9.1.2 Solving Quadratics by Factoring
9.2 Graphs of Quadratics
9.2.1 Finding x- and y-intercepts
9.2.2 Nice-Looking Parabolas
9.2.3 Graphing Parabolas
9.3 Solving by Completing the Square
9.3.1 Solving by Completing the Square
9.3.2 Completing the Square: Another Example
9.3.3 Finding the Vertex by Completing the Square
9.4 Writing Quadratic Equations
9.4.1 Using the Vertex to Write the Equation
9.4.2 Building a Polynomial Equation from Its Solutions
9.5 Solving with the Quadratic Formula
9.5.1 Proving the Quadratic Formula
9.5.2 Using the Quadratic Formula
9.5.3 Predicting Types of Solutions From the Discriminant
9.5.4 Using the Discriminant to Graph Parabolas
9.6 Equations Quadratic in Form
9.6.1 Solving for a Squared Variable
9.6.2 Finding Real-Number Restrictions
9.6.3 Solving Fancy Quadratics
9.6.4 Horizontal Parabolas
9.7 Formulas and Applications
9.7.1 Solving a Quadratic Geometry Problem
9.7.2 Solving with the Pythagorean Theorem
9.7.3 The Pythagorean Theorem: Another Example
9.7.4 Solving a Motion Problem
9.7.5 Solving a Projectile Problem
9.7.6 Solving Other Problems
9.8 Nonlinear Inequalities
9.8.1 Solving Quadratic Inequalities
9.8.2 Solving Quadratic Inequalities: Another Example

10. Systems of Equations

10.1 Linear Systems in Two Variables
10.1.1 An Introduction to Linear Systems
10.1.2 Solving a System by Graphing
10.1.3 Solving a System by Substitution
10.1.4 Solving a System by Elimination
10.2 Linear Systems in Three Variables
10.2.1 An Introduction to Systems in Three Variables
10.2.2 Solving Systems with Three Variables
10.2.3 Solving Inconsistent Systems
10.2.4 Solving Dependent Systems
10.2.5 Solving Systems with Two Equations
10.3 Applications of Linear Systems
10.3.1 Investments
10.3.2 Partial Fractions
10.4 Solutions by Matrix Methods
10.4.1 An Introduction to Matrices
10.4.2 Using the Gauss-Jordan Method
10.4.3 Using Gauss-Jordan: Another Example
10.5 Determinants
10.5.1 Evaluating 2x2 Determinants
10.5.2 Evaluating nxn Determinants
10.6 Cramer's Rule
10.6.1 Using Cramer's Rule
10.6.2 Using Cramer's Rule in a 3x3 Matrix
10.7 Working with Inequalities
10.7.1 An Introduction to Graphing Linear Inequalities
10.7.2 Graphing Linear Inequalities
10.7.3 Graphing a System of Inequalities
10.8 Systems of Nonlinear Equations
10.8.1 Solving a Nonlinear System by Elimination
10.8.2 Solving a Nonlinear System by Substitution
Frequently Asked Questions for Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra

How do Thinkwell courses work?

Your student watches a 5-10 minute online video lesson and then completes the automatically graded exercises for the topic. You'll get instant correct-answer feedback. Then move on to the next lesson! The courses are self-paced, or you can use the daily lesson plans. Just like a textbook, you can choose where to start and end, or follow the standard table of contents.

When does my 12-month online subscription start?

It starts when you're ready. You can have instant access to your online subscription when you purchase online, or you can purchase now and start later.

What math courses should a student take?

A typical sequence of secondary math courses completed by a college-bound student is: Grade 6 Math > Grade 7 Math > Grade 8 Math > Algebra 1 > Geometry > Algebra 2 > Precalculus. For students looking to include Calculus as part of their high school curriculum and are able to complete Grade 7 Math in 6th grade, the sequence can be: Grade 7 Math > Prealgebra > Algebra 1 > Geometry > Algebra 2 > Precalculus > Calculus.

Is Thinkwell’s Beginning Algebra a college course?

Most 2-year colleges and some 4-year colleges teach Beginning Algebra, but it is considered a developmental math course. Four year colleges will not award credit for a developmental math course; typically College Algebra is the lowest credit math course at a 4 -year college.

Does my student get school credit for Thinkwell’s Beginning Algebra?

No, only schools are accredited and Thinkwell is not a school, though many accredited schools use Thinkwell.

Does Thinkwell Beginning Algebra meet state standards?

Some states set standards for what topics should be taught in a particular course. Thinkwell does not have a course version for each state. Instead, the course is built to national standards to be inclusive of all states. Websites such as www.achieve.org can help you determine your state's standards.

What if my student needs access to the course for more than 12 months?

You can extend your subscription for $19.95/month.

Can I share access with more than one student?

The courses are designed and licensed to accommodate one student per username and password; additional students need to purchase online access. This allows parents to keep track of each student's progress and grades.

How long does it take to complete Thinkwell’s Beginning Algebra course?

The pace of your course is up to you, but most college students will schedule one semester.

Can I see my grade?

Thinkwell’s course software tracks everything your student does. When logged in, your student can click "My Grades" to see their progress.

How are grades calculated?

The course grade is calculated this way: Chapter Tests 33.3%, Midterm: 33.3%, Final: 33.3%.

What is acceptable performance on the exams?

As a homeschool parent, you decide the level of performance you want your student to achieve; the course does not limit access to topics based on performance on prior topics.

Can I get a transcript?

Yes, there's a final grade report print option in the My Grades section. Contact techsupport@thinkwell.com with any questions.

What if I change my mind and want to do a different math course, can I change?

If you discover that you should be in a different course, contact techsupport@thinkwell.com within one week of purchase and we will move you to the appropriate course.

Can I print the exercises?

Yes, but completing the exercises online provides immediate correct answer feedback and automatic scoring, so we recommend answering the exercises online.

Are exercises multiple choice?

Most of the exercises are multiple choice and they are graded automatically with correct answer solutions.

Is Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra Math built on "continuous review?"

Thinkwell's Beginning Algebra is carefully constructed to build on previous knowledge, reinforcing key concepts every step of the way. It is not only a reflection of empirically effective instruction, but also reflects Dr Burger’s philosophies learned over a career of teaching mathematics, emphasizing a solid foundation that addresses why students need to learn certain concepts. Finally, Thinkwell Beginning Algebra is intentionally designed to work for a wide variety of learning styles.

What is Thinkwell's Refund Policy?

We offer a full refund of 12-month subscription purchases within 14 days of purchase, no questions asked. For Essential Review courses, the refund period is 3 days. Optional printed materials are printed on demand and the sales are final.

How does my school review this course?

Should your school need to review a Thinkwell course for any reason, have the school contact techsupport@thinkwell.com and we can provide them access to a demo site.

Do I get credits for a Thinkwell course?

Generally, only schools can award credits, and Thinkwell is not a school. We can provide you with a certificate of completion and a grade report. However, if you’re pursuing credit with a particular school or institution, it might be helpful to know that Thinkwell math courses are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as a Supplementary Education Program. For California students, Thinkwell is also an approved A-G online publisher. Learn more about our accreditation HERE.

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