Algebra 1 Explorer

Grades 8 and up

Algebra 1 Explorer software will turn struggling students into successful math learners and average students into accelerated math learners!

Award-Winning: Media & Methods Awards Portfolio for outstanding educational software.

Complements All Algebra Textbooks

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Program Outline
Online preview samples-- click here.
NCTM Standards
State Standards
System Requirements
Pricing & Ordering

Spark your students' interest in algebra with state-of-the-art graphing tools and interactive lessons that encourage students to explore and learn algebraic concepts.

The Algebra 1 Explorer features a comprehensive algebra 1 curriculum that is packed with resources for your class, including student self-paced tutorials, interactive class presentation material, as well as student learning activities and worksheets.

"I found this program to be excellent."

-- Dr. Ira Lee Riddle, Penn State University
Reviewer for The Mathematics Teacher,
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Present Concepts with Energy and High Impact

MathRealm understands that you are challenged each day to motivate and teach a wide range of students with a wide range of learning needs. You have a very demanding job. The Algebra 1 Explorer will give you the tools to make your job easier.

The Algebra 1 Explorer has many exploratory graphing tools that will help you emphasize key points during class presentations. And the interactive lessons with compelling visual representations will add excitement and energy to the learning process, keeping students focused on learning.

You do not have a great deal of time with your students. The Algebra 1 Explorer will help you make every minute count!

Turn Passive Listeners into Active Learners

Students today are accustomed to multimedia experiences and they relate better to math ideas that are accompanied by graphics, color and sound. They have high expectations for the way ideas are presented to them and consequently the traditional methods of reaching students are not as effective as they use to be.

MathRealm's research in learning behavior showed that interactive visuals and audio effects are very effective in drawing students into the subject matter as active learners rather than passive listeners. For learning to take place, students need to be closely involved in the learning process and not just observing. They need to see the concept, touch the concept, hear the concept and receive immediate feedback. Research shows that concepts take hold when students have an experience that is meaningful to them.

To create an environment of active learning, you need some assistance. You really can not do it alone using the traditional methods. You are competing for your students' attention in a world that provides them with many multi-sensory experiences.

What Makes the Algebra 1 Explorer Unique?

MathRealm's teaching methodology, employed in all of our curriculum programs, focuses on allowing the student to interact with a concept before the concept is developed. The journey begins with the student discovering the concept through a virtual manipulative. After this interaction the program methodically builds the concept in a logical manner, allowing the student to see why and how the mathematical process works. Problem-solving strategies and real-life occurrences are woven into the concept-building part of the program. Research demonstrates that this approach leads to a deeper understanding.

Many other software programs state the concept first, then repeatedly drill the concept, and then test the concept. These programs mimic the more passive learning process of a lecture, with pop-up questions. This approach encourages memorization and does not develop intuitive understanding.

Achieve Success in Various Learning Environments

Not only is the Algebra 1 Explorer great for classroom presentations, it is also ideal for individual instruction. The eye-catching graphics and sound effects allow students to see and hear what is happening. This helps them to better understand the concepts, whether in a classroom or alone on a self-study basis.

The step-by-step tutorials, the endless supply of randomly generated practice problems, as well as the worksheets (included with the teacher manual) make it possible for students to learn on their own. The worksheets are great for reinforcing learning and can be used as the students are moving through the program. The worksheets, designed to correspond with the lessons and the graphing tools, pose open-ended questions and encourage even more critical thinking about each concept.

If a student is struggling to keep pace with the class, you can assign some computer lab work with the Algebra 1 Explorer. While you will not be present to ask in-depth questions, you can feel confident that the software and accompanying worksheets are posing those questions.

The Algebra 1 Explorer is great for collaborative group learning too! Students can gather around a single computer to work through the lessons and solve the problems as a group.

Give Struggling Students the Tools to Succeed in Algebra

Ask any student who is struggling with algebra whether they would prefer to review chapters in a textbook or use interactive software without lengthy narrations, and they will choose the software. We have asked, many times. With high quality interactive software students learn more because they are actively engaged.

Motivate Your Students to Excel in Algebra

All students can master algebra concepts. The Algebra 1 Explorer gives students the tools to grasp the concepts and builds their motivation by providing a dynamic learning environment, freeing them from just memorizing mechanical procedures without a true understanding.

Well-documented research reveals that graphing tools are essential for students to fully understand algebra concepts. The research shows that algebra students often spend too much time on symbolic-manipulation work and not enough time thinking about the meaning of the symbolic-manipulation results. The algebra learning environment does not have to be this way.

The graphing tools in the Algebra 1 Explorer allow students to change the function and variable and immediately see the result. Students can focus on what the result means. The graphing tools free the learning time for thoughtful discussion and reflection.

The Algebra 1 Explorer is packed with graphing tools! Not just one or two, but eight high impact graphing tools! They include: Slope-Intercept, Line with Slope-Point, Line with Two Points, Linear Equation System, Linear Inequality System, Parabola Graphing, Quadratic Inequality, and Quadratic Absolute Value.

We are very excited about the Algebra 1 Explorer's graphing tools and we think you can see why, because they mean more algebra learning for your students!

See for Yourself!

We know you will be impressed with the Algebra 1 Explorer. You can experience the power of the Algebra 1 Explorer with our online demo. Click here for the demo.

Are You Reaching All of Your Students?

All of your students can be successful algebra learners and many can be accelerated algebra learners. With the Algebra 1 Explorer you can lead your students to achieve their potential. You deserve the tools that can help your students reach top performance. The Algebra 1 Explorer is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Your students, your school, and your district are counting on you!

Program Outline

Extensive Algebra Curriculum

The following table is a detailed outline of all the interactive assignments in the Algebra 1 Explorer software program. The program is organized by units. Each unit has multiple assignments that include lessons, practice, learning tools and enrichment activities (Extras).

Unit:	Expressions -- Review
Variables	Lesson	Lesson teaching the concept of what a variable is. Uses interactions and examples to build the concept of a variable.
Algebraic Notation	Lesson	Learn the transformation of the times sign to no sign for variables. Learn to use the division bar instead of the division sign. Animated examples.
Exponents	Lesson	Introduces exponents as repeated multiplication. Introduces squared and its relationship to area. Introduces the relationship between volume and cubes.
Algebraic Expressions	Lesson	Example of converting mathematical word phrases in to algebraic expressions. Variable and numeric expressions.
Order of Operations	Lesson	Learn the order of operations. Uses the mnemonic "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" to explain the order of operations.
Expression Evaluation	Lesson	Using order of operations. Examples of evaluating expressions. Develops an evaluation checklist.
Expression Blocks	Extra	Algebra tiles (expression blocks) are used to demonstrate use of parentheses and expression grouping. Build expressions by manipulating tiles.
Expression Practice	Practice	Practice evaluating expressions using order of operations. Practice building expressions using expression tiles. Three skill levels of random problems.
Number Patterns	Extra	Explore number and expression patterns. Uses Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Ratio to show the relationship between numbers, math and nature. Uses spirals, art and music as examples.
Unit:	Real Numbers -- Review
Negative Numbers	Lesson	Uses examples to show what a negative number is.
Real Number Line	Lesson	Learn about the real number line and how to graph a point. Learn the concept of the opposite number.
Absolute Value	Lesson	Concept of absolute value. Uses the real number line and distance to present concept.
Ordering Real Numbers	Lesson	Compare real numbers with negative and positive values. Uses number line and drag and drop activity to compare relative values and their place on the number line.
Adding Real Numbers	Lesson	Learn the concept and rules for adding positive and negative real numbers. Examples and an application with area. Properties of addition presented.
Subtracting Real Numbers	Lesson	Learn the concept and rules for subtracting real numbers. Uses an interactive real number line activity to develop the concept. Subtraction rules and simplifying techniques are presented.
Multiplying Real Numbers	Lesson	Learn to count the negative signs when multiplying real numbers. Properties of multiplication are presented.
Dividing Real Numbers	Lesson	Learn to count the negative signs when dividing real numbers. Division rule is presented.
Real Number Properties	Properties	The distributive property is presented and the rules and properties of real number operations are reviewed.
Expressions with Real Numbers	Lesson	Evaluating expressions with real (negative and positive) numbers with the order of operations. A procedure is presented.
Real Expression Practice	Practice	Practice evaluating expressions with real numbers using order of operations. Problems are randomly generated in three skill levels.
Unit:	Equations, Inequalities and Functions
Equations	Lesson	Teaches the concept of an equation's balance. Uses balance beam and tiles interactively to explore balance.
Formulas	Extra	Explore formulas as an application of equations. Uses force, speed, area and perimeter as interactive examples.
Proportions	Lesson	Learn that proportions are compared rates. Use cross product to determine if proportions are equivalent or to determine their relative size. Solve proportion equations for missing variable.
Proportion Practice	Practice	Practice identifying ratio equalities and solving for a missing value in a proportion.
Inequalities	Lesson	Learn about inequality sentences, graphing one variable inequalities and compound inequalities. Real world examples and interactive explorations.
Functions	Lesson	Learn about functions and their applications. Real world examples are used to explore function applications, their domains and ranges. Equation, graph, table and plot examples are explored.
Geometry Connections	Extra	Connecting formulas and functions to plane and solid geometry. Explore area and volume by manipulating figure parameters.
Unit:	Solving Linear Equations
One Step: Addition and Subtraction	Lesson	Interactively learn to solve one step equations with addition and subtraction transformations. Uses an interactive balance beam to develop conceptual understanding. A check list is developed.
Solving Practice: Addition and Subtraction	Practice	Practice solving equations with addition and subtraction transformations. Randomly generated problems -- can practice all you want.
One Step: Multiplication and Division	Lesson	Interactively learn to solve one step equations with multiplication and division transformations. Identify the inverse operation and operate on both sides of the equation. A check list is developed.
Solving Practice: Multiplication and Division	Practice	Practice solving equations with multiplication and division transformations. Randomly generated problems -- can practice all you want.
Solving Multi-Step Equations	Lesson	Interactively learn to solve multi-step equations and equations with variables on both sides of the equation. Collecting variables on one side of the equation is explored with interactive examples. A check list is developed.
Practice Multi-Step Equations	Practice	Practice solving two-step equations with one variable. Randomly generated problems -- can practice all you want.
Equation Properties and Transformations	Properties	Properties and transformations useful to solving one-variable linear equations.
Absolute Value and Literal Equations	Lesson	Solving one-variable equations with absolute values in them -- simple and multi-step. How to solve Literal Equations (more than one variable) with practical applications using formulas.
Unit:	Graphing Linear Equations
Graphing Plane	Lesson	The coordinate plane and graphing ordered pairs (x, y). Graphing a series of ordered pairs to find a pattern.
Practice Point Graphing	Practice	Practice plotting an ordered pair by moving the point or entering a point's coordinates.
Graphing One Variable Equations	Lesson	Learn that equations of variables are either horizontal or vertical lines. Move the lines to see the one variable equation change.
One Variable Graph Practice	Practice	Practice identifying one variable equation graphs by matching one variable equations to a graph.
Graphing Two Variable Equations	Lesson	Procedure for graphing a 2 variable line equation. Isolate one variable, substitute values for one variable, evaluate for the other variable, put in a table of points and plot the coordinate pairs. Join coordinate pairs with a line.
Quick Graph with Intercepts	Lesson	Quickly graph a linear equation by finding the axes intercepts. By setting, one at a time, the x and y variables to zero you find two points of the line and then sketch the line.
Two Variable Graph Practice	Practice	Practice identifying linear graphs by matching two variable equations to a graph.
Line with Two-Points Graph Tool	Tool	Line from 2-points with slope and standard form notations. Interactively move the two-points and see the line, slope and standard form equation change.
Slope Calculation	Lesson	Calculate the slope of a linear equation given two points that are solutions of the equation.
Slope Calculation Practice	Practice	Practice calculating a line's slope given two points on the line.
Quick Graph with Slope-Intercept	Lesson	Transform a linear equation into slope-intercept form and quickly sketch the graph using this form. Use the intercept as one line point and the slope to sketch the line.
Slope-Intercept Graph Tool	Tool	Line equation graphing tool for slope-intercept form. Manipulate the slope and intercept coefficients with sliders.
Slope-Intercept Graph Practice	Practice	Practice identifying linear graphs by matching slope-intercept form equations to a graph.
Unit:	Writing Linear Equations
Slope as a Rate	Lesson	Review rate and explore the concept of slope as a rate. Uses speed and changes in altitude as examples. Uses verbal models to generate slope (rate) calculation problems.
Writing Linear Equations	Lesson	Writing linear equations in slope-intercept form from verbal models and from graphs. Uses cell phone billing rates and sky diving as example problems to model.
Writing Equations Practice	Practice	Practice writing linear equations in slope-intercept form from a graph. Drag and drop the line slope and intercept into the equation.
Slope-Intercept Graph Tool	Tool	Line equation graphing tool for slope-intercept form. Manipulate the slope and intercept coefficients with sliders to see the graph change.
Writing Linear Equations from Points	Lesson	Writing a linear equation in slope-intercept form given verbal models with a rate and a point or a slope and a point. Writing a slope-intercept equation given two points. Uses factory production rates as a verbal model.
Writing Linear Equations from Points Practice	Practice	Practice writing a linear equation in slope-intercept form given a slope and point or two points. Drag and drop the line slope and intercept into the equation.
Line with Slope-Point Graph Tool	Tool	Graph a line from a slope and point and generate slope-intercept form of a linear equation. Interactively change the slope and move a point and see the line change.
Line with Two-Points Graph Tool	Tool	Graph a line from 2-points and calculate the slope-intercept form of the linear equation. Interactively move the two points to see the line change in real time.
Unit:	System of Linear Equations
Solve by Graphing	Lesson	A verbal model of a rate problem is developed and a system of linear equations is generated. The problem is modeled graphically and mathematically and a solution is developed as the linear graph's intercept. Interactive tools are used to explore the graphing and intercept of a linear system. Several examples are developed to show getting an approximate solution to a linear system by graphing.
Solve by Graphing Practice	Practice	Practice solving a linear system by interactively graphing the system and entering in the approximate solution. Lines are graphed by moving two points for each line to define each line.
Linear Equation System (2 x 2)	Tool	A two variable, 2x2 linear system in slope intercept form. Manipulate the slope and intercept coefficients with sliders.
Solve by Substitution	Lesson	With a verbal investment problem a linear system of equations is developed. A solution is developed using a substitution method. A four step procedure for solving linear systems by substitution is developed. Several examples are developed using the procedure.
Solve by Substitution Practice	Practice	Practice solving a linear system by substitution. Graphing and detailed substitution answers are shown for each problem answered.
Solve by Linear Combination	Lesson	Linear combination is adding or subtracting one equation from another to eliminate a variable. The concept of solving a linear system is developed with balance beams using weights and objects, modeling a linear system. The substitution method is used to solve the linear system. A more efficient and easier method is developed by subtracting the equations. A procedure and examples are developed.
Linear Combination Practice	Practice	Practice solving a linear system by linear combination. Graphing and detailed linear combination answers are shown for each problem answered.
Linear System Overview	Properties	A linear system of equations can have one solution (lines intercept), many solutions (lines are the same), or no solution (lines are parallel). Guidelines for when to use graphing, substitution or linear combination to solve a linear system.
Linear Inequality System	Tool	A two variable, 2x2 linear inequality system in slope intercept form. Manipulate the slope and intercept coefficients with sliders.
Unit:	Exponents and Powers
Exponents	Lesson	Introduces exponents as repeated multiplication. Introduces squared and its relationship to area. Introduces the relationship between volume and cubes.
Exponent Properties	Lesson	Learn the multiplication and division properties of exponential terms. Develops the meaning of zero and negative exponents.
Exponent Practice	Practice	Practice manipulating exponential terms using exponent properties.
Exponential Growth and Decay	Extra	Investigate compound interest as an application of exponential growth. Explore exponential growth and decay interactively with tables and bar graphs.
Scientific Notation	Lesson	Learn about scientific notation using powers of ten to represent and manipulate very small and large numbers.
Scientific Notation Practice	Practice	Practice representing large and small numbers in scientific notation.
Scientific Observatory	Extra	In an observatory explore powers of ten and very large and small objects.
Unit:	Quadratic Equations
Square Roots & Pythagorean Theorem	Lesson	Explores square roots and evaluation of expression with square roots. Introduces the Pythagorean Theorem and solving for one of its variables.
Practice Pythagorean Theorem	Practice	Practice solving square roots and solving the Pythagorean equation.
Orbital Velocity	Extra	Use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the orbital velocity of a spacecraft.
Quadratic Equations	Lesson	Learn the quadratic equation in standard form. Learn about applications of the quadratic equation and solving using square roots.
Quadratic Equation Practice	Practice	Practice solving quadratic equations using square roots.
Parabolas	Lesson	Graphing the quadratic equation (a parabola). Learn about the direction the parabola opens, the vertex and the axis of symmetry.
Practice Graphing Parabolas	Practice	Practice graphing quadratic equations by identifying the vertex and setting up a table of values.
Quadratic Standard Form Graphing	Tool	Quadratic equation in standard polynomial form. Manipulate the standard form coefficients with sliders.
Quadratic Inequality	Tool	Quadratic inequality in standard form graphing tool. Manipulate the standard form coefficients with sliders.
The Quadratic Formula	Lesson	Solve a quadratic equation by using the quadratic formula.
Practice Quadratic Formula	Practice	Practice applying the quadratic formula.
Quadratic Absolute Value	Tool	Quadratic absolute value functions y = f(x), y = \|f(x)\|, y = f(\|x\|), of y = ax² + bx + c. Manipulate the coefficients with sliders.
Unit:	Polynomials and Factoring
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials	Lesson	Polynomials in standard form of any degree are introduced. Examples of what polynomials can represent. Adding and subtracting polynomials by combining the coefficients of like terms.
Practice Adding and Subtracting Polynomials	Practice	Practice adding and subtracting polynomials by combining the coefficients of like terms.
Multiplying Polynomials	Lesson	Learn to multiply polynomials using the distribution properties of multiplication. Modeling polynomial multiplication using area and expression blocks. Multiply binomials using the FOIL method. Multiply a binomial and a trinomial using the vertical format.
Practice Multiplying Polynomials	Practice	Practice multiplying polynomials. Multiply binomials using the FOIL method and multiply a binomial and a trinomial with the vertical format method.
Special Products and Factors	Lesson	Multiply polynomials of the form (ax + b)(ax + b) and (ax + b)(ax - b). Learn to recognize polynomials with factors (ax + b)(ax + b) or (ax + b)(ax - b). The patterns are developed and formulas derived.
Practice Special Binomial Products	Practice	Practice multiplying binomial polynomials with special forms. Practice the sum and difference pattern, (ax + b)(ax - b), and the square of binomial pattern
Practice Factoring Special Products	Practice	Practice factoring trinomial polynomials with special forms. Practice factoring polynomials with the sum and difference pattern, (ax + b)(ax + b). A FOIL method solution can also be viewed.
Factoring Quadratic Equations