Algebra 1 Topics and Concepts | Albert Resources (2024)

Looking for all the topics in Algebra 1?

Algebra 1 is a math course exploring how to use variables, numbers, and mathematical operations to solve problems.Explore below for a list of all Algebra 1 topics, a summary of the typical Algebra 1 course, and a discussion of what makesAlgebra 1 unique.

What topics are in Algebra 1?

Algebra 1 is a high school math course exploring how to use letters (called variables) and numbers with mathematical symbols to solve problems.

Algebra 1 typically includes evaluating expressions, writing equations, graphing functions, solving quadratics, and understanding inequalities. Algebra 1 focuses on a variety of different types of functions such as linear, quadratic, and cubic — all of which are represented in traditional “function notation” as well as graphed on the coordinate plane.

Students in Algebra 1 typically build conceptual understanding and gain procedural fluency of concepts that are required for more advanced math subjects such as Geometry and Calculus. Abstracting real-life situations into mathematical models (expressions, equations, functions) is a key part of success in Algebra 1.

Algebra 1 is typically taught late in middle school or early in high school.

In the United States, 9th grade (freshman year) seems to be the most common grade for students to take an Algebra 1 class. Some high schools also offer Algebra 1 to 10th graders.

On the other end of the spectrum, many middle schools offer students an Algebra 1 course as early as 8th grade or even 7th grade for more advanced math students.

It’s impossible to say exactly how easy or difficult Algebra 1 for each individual student. Students who have a strong background in middle school math topics (fractions, decimals, ratios, percents, negative numbers) should find an Algebra 1 course relatively accessible.

However, for many students, Algebra 1 will be quite a difficult challenge.

In Algebra 1, there are dozens of quickly-moving topics and skills that build on each other as the curriculum progresses. Having strong arithmetic skills is an incredibly important prerequisite for gaining confidence in an Algebra 1 course. If a student starts to get slightly behind on a specific concept, it’s likely those misconceptions will build into further confusion rather quickly.

If you’re looking for student practice at a wide range of difficulty levels, consider trying Albert’s Algebra 1 practice questions.

As the names suggest, there are many core similarities between Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. Both courses work extensively with variables and functions as well as using mathematical operations to find unknown quantities.

Students in Algebra 1 are typically expected to gain mastery of a wide variety of techniques for solving linear and quadratic equations. Algebra 1 focuses on “doing the same thing to both sides of the equation” to solve equations. With the lens of linear and quadratic functions, Algebra 1 pushes students to find roots (solutions) leveraging multiple methods (including the quadratic formula), graph function relationships on the coordinate plane, and convert among various forms of quadratics.

Algebra 2 is an advanced expansion of the ideas from Algebra 1. Students in Algebra 2 are introduced to a much wider range of functions including logarithms, radicals, and rational functions. Trigonometric functions often become an important new focus area during Algebra 2 as students begin exploring the unit circle. Algebra 2 typically includes solutions with real and complex numbers — including arithmetic with imaginary numbers — as well as conic sections such as hyperbolas, parabolas, and ellipses. Basic parabolas that students used to think had no solutions during Algebra 1 are actually revealed to have two “imaginary” solutions in Algebra 2.

In general, Algebra 2 includes a wider and more intricate variety of function types than those covered in Algebra 1 topics.