Welcome to the Interactive Learning System for Elementary Algebra. This course extends the most basic skills and understandings of Beginning Algebra. This is not a quick course with a few examples which are learned as rules or rote procedures. Rather, the instruction emphasizes the understanding of basic concepts as it teaches the Algebra expected of every college student and that needed for further study of mathematics.

Two types of students can greatly benefit from this course:

• Students who have previously completed Beginning Algebra .
• Students who have earlier in their life had a course in Algebra, but need a complete review of its concepts for a new endeavor.

The content of the course is similar to a second semester of high school Algebra:

• The course begins with a review of the basic concepts of Algebra such as simplifying expressions, solving linear equations, and handling counting number exponents.
• Integer exponents are introduced, taught, and completely explained as needed information for the study of polynomials.
• Polynomials, their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division comprise a major portion of the course.
• The factoring of polynomials is a subject reserved for one chapter of this course.
• The work with polynomials is extended to polynomial fractions and polynomial equations.
• Real irrational numbers are introduced and methods for simplifying radical expressions are taught as a prelude to solving equations with irrational solutions.

The instruction provided here is complete in every way:

• Explanations are complete.
• Practice problems walk you through every process.
• A mentor is available at all times to answer any questions.
• A self-testing program allows you to make accurate appraisals of your mastery of the material.

Students who are capable of quickly learning the material will find the format and presentation especially helpful. You can be very selective in deciding what portions of this complete instruction you need to cover.

• Chapter titles are descriptive and give you a first clue for finding the topics you need.
• The first screen for each chapter lists the units by titles. Those titles may be sufficient for you to select the unit where you need to begin.
• If chapter/unit titles are not enough to make a good decision, the second screen of each chapter is a Preview. You will find a list of sample problems from the chapter. Each problem is accompanied by a notation showing the unit in which it appears.
• A self-testing program allows you to make accurate appraisals of your mastery of the material.

One word of caution: Just because it is easy to locate the topics you need don't assume that this is not a serious task. Everything you need is here except for your own discipline. That you must provide. Make good decisions. Move as quickly as possible, but do your lessons carefully and completely. When you do the Algebra right from its beginning it is a logical, understandable sequence. Do it that way and you may find it enjoyable and interesting.

We guarantee the high quality of the instruction here. You must provide the high quality of studious behavior that will insure a successful learning experience. Even though this is cyberspace, you are not alone in working at this task. You have a Mentor who will give you help whenever you ask. Your Mentor is not here to make judgments about you, criticize, give grades, etc. The only interest of your Mentor is to give help when requested. There are two ways for you to contact your mentor:

1. E-mail. Your Mentor's cyberspace address is: MathMentor@OnlineCollegePrep.com. When sending an e-mail request for help, be certain to include:

• The title of the course you are taking.
• The chapter, unit and frame.
• If possible, describe the difficulty you are encountering. You are guaranteed an e-mail reply to your request within 24 hours.

2. FAX. Your Mentor's FAX number is: (727) 442-2195. You can also use the FAX to send a request for help. If so, include the same information as needed for e-mail.

Use the web site for your instruction or use the textbook. The material and quality of instruction are nearly identical. Some students prefer a book. Others like the web site. Some work back and forth between the two. Whatever works best is the rule to follow.

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