Algebra 1

2-Week Math Bootcamp — Module 1

Numbers · Equations · Graphing · Polynomials · Factoring

Bootcamp Module Days 1–7 2 Sessions/Day

Self-Study PDF 1–7 Days 1 hr each

2-Week Math Bootcamp • Study & Reference Guide

 Table of Contents

Day 1 — Numbers & Variables

• Morning: Number line, integers, fractions, PEMDAS
• Afternoon: Variables, expressions, combining like terms

Day 2 — Equations
• Morning: Solving 1-step equations
• Afternoon: Solving 2-step equations & word problems

Day 3 — Inequalities & Graphing

• Morning: Inequalities — solving & graphing
• Afternoon: Coordinate plane & plotting points

Day 4 — Linear Equations

• Morning: Slope — rise/run & slope formula
• Afternoon: Slope-intercept form & graphing lines

Day 5 — Systems of Equations

• Morning: Graphing & substitution methods
• Afternoon: Elimination method & word problems

Day 6 — Exponents & Polynomials

• Morning: Exponent rules
• Afternoon: Polynomials & FOIL

Day 7 — Factoring & Review

• Morning: GCF, trinomials, difference of squares
• Afternoon: Algebra 1 comprehensive review
 DAY 1

Numbers & the Basics

MORNING SESSION — Number Line, Real Numbers & PEMDAS

■ The number line is a street. Zero is your house. Right = positive (money you have). Left = negative
(money you owe).

Types of numbers
Integers — whole numbers only, positive or negative: ...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...
Fractions — parts of a whole: 1/2, 3/4, 5/8. A fraction means division.
Decimals — fractions with a dot: 1/2 = 0.5, 1/4 = 0.25, 3/4 = 0.75
Real numbers — all of the above combined. Everything on the number line.

PEMDAS — Order of Operations

P — Parentheses Anything inside ( ) goes first, always.

E — Exponents Powers like 3² = 9 go second.

M & D — Multiply/Divide Equal rank — go left to right.

A & S — Add/Subtract Equal rank — go left to right. Always last.

Worked examples
2 + 3 × 4 = 2 + 12 = 14 (multiply first)
(2 + 3) × 4 = 5 × 4 = 20 (parentheses change everything)
20 ÷ 4 + 3 × 2 = 5 + 6 = 11 (do both × and ÷ before + )

Adding fractions — the 3-step method

Step 1: Check the denominators (bottom numbers). Are they the same?
Step 2: If not, find the LCD — the smallest number both denominators divide into.
Step 3: Convert fractions to the LCD. Multiply top and bottom by the same number. Then add tops.

Example: 1/2 + 1/3 → LCD = 6 → 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

AFTERNOON SESSION — Variables & Expressions

■ A variable is a box with a label. It holds an unknown number. x, y, n — all just names for "some
number we don't know yet."
Vocabulary you must know

A single chunk in an expression, separated by + or −. In 3x + 5,

Term the terms are 3x and 5.

The number in front of a variable. In 7x, the coefficient is 7. In just

Coefficient x, it's 1 (invisible).

Constant A plain number with no variable. In 3x + 5, the constant is 5.

Expression A combination of terms: 3x + 2y − 7. No equals sign.

Evaluating expressions — plug in a number for the variable

If x = 4, what is 3x + 5?
3x + 5 = 3(4) + 5 = 12 + 5 = 17

Combining like terms

Only terms with the exact same variable can be combined. x-terms with x-terms. y-terms with
y-terms. Plain numbers with plain numbers.

5x + 3x = 8x (add the coefficients, keep the variable)

4x + 3y − x + 2y = 3x + 5y (group by variable type)
3x + 5 cannot be simplified (different types — apples and oranges)

Practice quiz

1. Which is bigger: −7 or −2?

2. Solve: 8 + 3 × 4

3. Solve: (8 + 3) × 4

4. Solve: 24 ÷ 6 + 5 × 2

5. Add: 1/2 + 1/4

6. Add: 1/3 + 1/6

7. If x = 5, what is 4x + 3?

8. Simplify: 6x − 2x + 9 − 4

9. Simplify: 3x + 2y − x + 5y

10. Can you simplify 6x + 5? Why or why not?

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 2

Solving Equations

MORNING SESSION — Solving 1-Step Equations

■ An equation is a balance scale. Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other side to
keep it balanced.

The four properties of equality

x+a=b→x=b−a Subtract a from both sides

x−a=b→x=b+a Add a to both sides

ax = b → x = b ÷ a Divide both sides by a

x/a = b → x = b × a Multiply both sides by a

Examples:
x + 7 = 12 → x = 12 − 7 = 5
x − 4 = 9 → x = 9 + 4 = 13
3x = 21 → x = 21 ÷ 3 = 7
x/5 = 8 → x = 8 × 5 = 40

AFTERNOON SESSION — Solving 2-Step Equations & Word Problems

■ Two-step equations: undo addition/subtraction first, then multiplication/division. Always work
backwards from PEMDAS.

Examples:
2x + 3 = 11 → 2x = 8 → x = 4
5x − 7 = 13 → 5x = 20 → x = 4
x/3 + 4 = 9 → x/3 = 5 → x = 15

Word problem strategy

Step 1: Identify the unknown. Call it x.
Step 2: Write an equation from the sentence.
Step 3: Solve for x.
Step 4: Check your answer by plugging back in.

Example: "A number doubled, plus 5, equals 17. Find the number."
Let x = the number. 2x + 5 = 17 → 2x = 12 → x = 6

Practice quiz

1. Solve: x + 9 = 15

2. Solve: x − 6 = 11

3. Solve: 4x = 28

4. Solve: x/6 = 7

5. Solve: 3x + 4 = 19

6. Solve: 2x − 7 = 13

7. Solve: x/4 + 3 = 8

8. "A number tripled minus 2 equals 22. Find the number."

9. Solve: 5x + 10 = 35

10. Solve: 2x + 3x = 40

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 3

Inequalities & the Coordinate Plane

MORNING SESSION — Inequalities

x>a x is greater than a (strict — a itself not included)

x<a x is less than a (strict)

x≥a x is greater than or equal to a (a is included)

x≤a x is less than or equal to a (a is included)

■ When you multiply or divide an inequality by a NEGATIVE number, flip the inequality sign.

Examples:
x+3>7→x>4
2x ≤ 10 → x ≤ 5
−2x > 6 → x < −3 (sign flipped because divided by −2)

AFTERNOON SESSION — The Coordinate Plane

■ The coordinate plane is just two number lines crossed at right angles. Horizontal = x-axis. Vertical
= y-axis. They meet at (0, 0) called the origin.

The four quadrants (always go Right first, then Up):

Quadrant I: (+, +) right and up
Quadrant II: (−, +) left and up
Quadrant III: (−, −) left and down
Quadrant IV: (+, −) right and down

Memory trick for plotting (x, y): always go along the corridor (x, horizontal) before going up/down the
stairs (y, vertical).

Practice quiz

1. Solve and graph: x + 4 > 9

2. Solve: 3x ≤ 18
3. Solve: −4x > 12

4. Plot these points: A(2,3) B(−1,4) C(0,−2) D(−3,−1)

5. Which quadrant is (−4, 7) in?

6. Which quadrant is (5, −3) in?

7. Solve and graph: 2x − 1 ≥ 5

8. What is the point where the axes cross called?

9. Name the coordinates of a point in Quadrant III.

10. Solve: −2x + 3 < 9

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 4

Slope & Forms of a Line

MORNING SESSION — Slope

■ Slope = steepness of a line. It measures how much the line goes up or down for every step it takes
to the right.

m = rise / run rise = vertical change, run = horizontal change

m = (y■ − y■) / (x■ − x■) slope from two points (x■,y■) and (x■,y■)

m>0 line goes up left to right (positive slope)

m<0 line goes down left to right (negative slope)

m=0 horizontal line (flat)

m = undefined vertical line (straight up)

Example: Find slope through (1, 2) and (3, 8):

m = (8 − 2) / (3 − 1) = 6/2 = 3

AFTERNOON SESSION — Forms of a Line

y = mx + b Slope-intercept form: m = slope, b = y-intercept

y − y■ = m(x − x■) Point-slope form: use when given slope + one point

Ax + By = C Standard form: A, B, C are integers

Graphing a line from y = mx + b:

Step 1: Plot the y-intercept (0, b) — where the line crosses the y-axis.
Step 2: From that point, use the slope to find the next point: go right 1, up m.
Step 3: Draw the line through both points.

Example: y = 2x + 1 → y-intercept at (0,1). Slope = 2 means up 2, right 1.

Practice quiz

1. Find slope through (0,0) and (4,8)

2. Find slope through (1,3) and (5,11)

3. Find slope through (2,7) and (6,3)

4. What is the slope of y = 5x − 3?

5. What is the y-intercept of y = −2x + 7?

6. Write slope-intercept form: slope 3, y-intercept −4

7. Find the equation through (0,2) with slope 5

8. Is y = 4 a horizontal or vertical line?

9. Find slope through (−1, 2) and (3, 10)

10. What does a slope of 0 mean visually?

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 5

Systems of Equations

■ A system of equations is two equations with the same two unknowns. The solution is the point (x,
y) where BOTH equations are true at the same time.

MORNING — Graphing & Substitution Methods

Substitution method — 3 steps:
Step 1: Solve one equation for one variable.
Step 2: Substitute that expression into the other equation.
Step 3: Solve for the remaining variable. Then back-substitute to find the other.

Example: y = 2x and x + y = 9
x + 2x = 9 → 3x = 9 → x = 3 → y = 6 Answer: (3, 6)

AFTERNOON — Elimination Method

Elimination method — 3 steps:
Step 1: Line up both equations. Multiply one or both to make coefficients match.
Step 2: Add or subtract the equations to eliminate one variable.
Step 3: Solve for the remaining variable, then substitute back.

Example: 2x + y = 7 and x − y = 2
Add both: 3x = 9 → x = 3 → y = 1 Answer: (3, 1)

One intersection point One solution (x, y) — the normal case

Parallel lines No solution — lines never meet

Same line Infinite solutions — every point on the line works

Practice quiz

1. Solve by substitution: y = x + 2, x + y = 10

2. Solve by substitution: y = 3x, 2x + y = 15

3. Solve by elimination: x + y = 8, x − y = 2

4. Solve by elimination: 2x + y = 9, x + y = 5
5. Solve: 3x + 2y = 12, x = 2

6. How many solutions: parallel lines?

7. How many solutions: same line?

8. "Two numbers add to 20. One is 4 more than the other. Find them."

9. Solve: y = −2x + 5, y = x − 1

10. Solve by any method: 4x + 3y = 24, x = 3

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 6

Exponents & Polynomials

MORNING SESSION — Exponent Rules

a■ × a■ = a■■■ Product rule: same base, add the exponents

a■ ÷ a■ = a■■■ Quotient rule: same base, subtract the exponents

(a■)■ = a■■■ Power rule: multiply the exponents

a■ = 1 Zero exponent rule: anything to the 0 = 1

a■■ = 1/a■ Negative exponent: flip to denominator

(ab)■ = a■ b■ Distribute exponent over multiplication

Examples:
x³ × x■ = x■ (3+4=7)
x■ ÷ x² = x³ (5−2=3)
(x³)² = x■ (3×2=6)

AFTERNOON SESSION — Polynomials & FOIL

■ A polynomial is a sum of terms with variables raised to whole-number exponents. The degree is
the highest exponent.

FOIL — multiplying two binomials (a+b)(c+d):

F — First Multiply the first terms: a × c

O — Outer Multiply the outer terms: a × d

I — Inner Multiply the inner terms: b × c

L — Last Multiply the last terms: b × d

Example: (x+3)(x+2) = x² + 2x + 3x + 6 = x² + 5x + 6
Example: (x+4)(x−1) = x² − x + 4x − 4 = x² + 3x − 4

Practice quiz

1. Simplify: x³ × x■
2. Simplify: x■ ÷ x²

3. Simplify: (x■)³

4. What is 7■?

5. Write without negative exponent: x■³

6. FOIL: (x+5)(x+3)

7. FOIL: (x−2)(x+7)

8. FOIL: (x+6)(x−6)

9. Add polynomials: (3x²+2x) + (x²−5x+1)

10. Subtract: (4x²+3x−2) − (x²−x+5)

Answers: _______________________________________________
 DAY 7

Factoring & Algebra 1 Review

MORNING SESSION — Factoring

■ Factoring is FOIL in reverse. You start with the expanded polynomial and find what multiplied
together to make it.

3 main factoring techniques:

1. GCF (Greatest Common Factor) — pull out the biggest factor all terms share
6x² + 9x = 3x(2x + 3)

2. Trinomials ax² + bx + c — find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b

x² + 5x + 6 = (x+2)(x+3) because 2×3=6 and 2+3=5

3. Difference of squares a² − b² = (a+b)(a−b)

x² − 25 = (x+5)(x−5)

AFTERNOON — Algebra 1 Comprehensive Review

Quick reference: the 7 core skills of Algebra 1 you now know.

Order of operations PEMDAS — P, E, MD (left→right), AS (left→right)

Solving equations Inverse operations — undo in reverse PEMDAS order

Inequalities Same as equations — but flip sign when ÷ or × by negative

Slope m = rise/run = (y■−y■)/(x■−x■)

Slope-intercept y = mx + b (m=slope, b=y-intercept)

Exponent rules Product, quotient, power, zero, negative

Factoring GCF → trinomial → difference of squares

Practice quiz

1. Factor: 4x² + 8x

2. Factor: x² + 7x + 12
3. Factor: x² − 9

4. Factor: x² − 5x + 6

5. Factor: 2x² + 6x

6. Factor: x² − 16

7. Solve: 2x + 5 = 15

8. Find slope through (2,4) and (6,12)

9. FOIL: (x+4)(x−3)

10. Simplify: (x■)² × x³

Answers: _______________________________________________
REFERENCE

Algebra 1 — Complete Formula Sheet

y = mx + b Slope-intercept form

m = (y■−y■)/(x■−x■) Slope formula

y − y■ = m(x − x■) Point-slope form

a■ × a■ = a■■■ Product of exponents

a■ ÷ a■ = a■■■ Quotient of exponents

(a■)■ = a■■■ Power rule

a■ = 1 Zero exponent

a■■ = 1/a■ Negative exponent

(a+b)(c+d) = FOIL First + Outer + Inner + Last

a² − b² = (a+b)(a−b) Difference of squares

(a+b)² = a²+2ab+b² Perfect square trinomial