What Even is Pre-Algebra?#

In mathematics there are topics or areas that are too expansive to cover in just one course, and algebra is an example of that. Algebra is used throughout every branch of math in some way, shape, or form, because at it’s core, algebra is and extension of predicate logic (also called first-order logic). If you want to learn a little bit more about what predicate logic is and how closely mathematics and philosophy are related, check out What Even is Math?

What You Will Learn in Pre-Algebra#

In a pre-algebra course, you will spend most of your time learning things in math that will prepare you for other courses that you will take later down the road. You will learn about the different kinds of numbers like integers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers. Possibly the most important part of any pre-algebra course, and what you will spend the most amount of time on, is learning about functions and equations.

Why split Algebra into Two Courses?#

Like I said in the first paragraph, algebra is a broad area of math, but that isn’t the reason why most schools will split algebra into two different courses. Most schools split the course because the knowledge and skills you develop in algebra are so fundamental to the rest of your math education, these schools want to give you more time to practice and cement your understanding of these concepts. In many ways algebra is most students first real journey into the world of math, and it would be scary and intimidating to dive into the deep end at full speed.