Foundations of Algebra

by Lynn Marecek and MaryAnne Anthony-Smith

Are you a student looking for online resources to help with your Arithmetic, Prealgebra, Elementary Algebra, or Intermediate Algebra class?  Are you a parent trying to help your child with math?  Welcome to Foundations of Algebra!

The pages on this website include links to downloadable activities that foster understanding of basic mathematical concepts, as well as a link to our series of textbooks that are available online for free from OpenStax.org:

Almost 200,000 students have used these textbooks for their math classes!

We wrote Foundations of Algebra for our Prealgebra classes at Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon Colleges.  It was used for over ten years and provided students with a bridge between arithmetic and beginning algebra. While we wrote our materials for use in community colleges, they are also appropriate for students in middle schools and high schools.  In fact, the topics correspond to many of the Common Core Standards for Grades 3 and up.

The menu at the top of this page gives links to materials that can be used independently of the textbooks:

  • Manipulative Mathematics are activities that give students concrete models that can help them understand mathematical concepts such as integers, fractions, multiples, primes, factors, equations, area and perimeter, and slopes of lines.
  • Links to Literacy connect 19 math-themed children’s books to Arithmetic and Prealgebra topics.  The children’s books give an alternate view of math topics than what is found in textbooks.  The activities promote understanding of mathematical vocabulary and concepts.
  • Strategies for Success: Study Skills for the College Math Student is a workbook of activities which we used in our college classes to pro-actively address study skills.   The workbook is available online from Pearson Higher Ed, Amazon, and other booksellers.

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