Algebra is a branch of mathematics that uses letters and symbols to represent numbers. It behaves the same way arithmetic does when it comes to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It just seems more complicated having letters in the mix.

Arithmetic numbers such as 3, 6.5, and ½ have a definite numeric value. They do not change and are referred to as constants.

So let’s get over your phobia for letters representing numbers…

Let’s try another type of problem…

EXAMPLE : + = 10

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10.

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value...

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ?

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ? Set up the problem : + 2 = 10

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ? Set up the problem : + 2 = 10 So something plus 2 equals 10

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ? Set up the problem : + 2 = 10 So something plus 2 equals 10 The must = 8

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ? Set up the problem : + 2 = 10 So something plus 2 equals 10 The must = 8 Now you think of two values you could assign to the and

Let’s try another type of problem… EXAMPLE : + = 10 So we need to find two numbers that add up to 10. Since the two shapes are different, let’s avoid using the same value... What if I said that the = 2, what would the square equal ? Set up the problem : + 2 = 10 So something plus 2 equals 10 The must = 8 Now you think of two values you could assign to the and See if you can find the ones you picked… = 1, = 9 = 3, = 7 = 6, = 4 = 8, = 2 = 10, = 0 = 2, = 8 = 4, = 6 = 7, = 3 = 9, = 1 = 0, = 10

OK, brace yourself, here come the letters…