No more Pemdas? A different approach to Algebra

[SA Homeschooler]

This math teacher has come up with an ingenious way to teach Algebra.  His method takes the guess work out of the order of operations and solving for X.

 

http://algebramethods.com/

 

I walked my son through the PowerPoint Textbook on the far right.  It was like a light bulb suddenly turned on!! Woohoo!!

 

I just need to find worksheets where he can continue to practice his new skill.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  I know there are many sites but I'm not sure if this is called simplifying expressions, solving equations are exactly what topic the worksheets might be found.

[HomeschoolingHearts&Minds]

This is exactly how I simplify expressions.  I don't remember if that's how I was taught, but it just seems obvious to me.  It is a nice explanation, though. :thumbup1:

 

I think you would want simplifying expressions.  The Dolciani text we are using has lots of these and some of them are complicated.

 

Here are a couple of worksheet generators, but their output expressions are a little on the simple side:

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/simplify_expressions.php

http://www.softschools.com/math/algebra/expressions/simplify_expressions_worksheets/

 

This one has downloadable worksheets and looks pretty good:  http://www.math-drills.com/algebra.shtml  (Scroll down to the Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Worksheets---the "challenge" ones look promising).

[Julie of KY]

That's how I learned it and teach it. I had never heard of PEMDAS until a tutoring student asked me to help with it.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Very clever.  I've never had trouble with order of operations though.  I think this method is very useful when you have a very long problem with a zillion signs. 

 

 

[Cosmos]

Can someone summarize the method? I watched the first powerpoint lesson on dealing with multiple signs in an expression and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. But I don't have the patience to sit and watch all powerpoint slides load. Mind-numbingly slow. Is there any other way to read about it besides watching the slides? For those who have already watched it, what is different about this approach to algebra?

[SA Homeschooler]

In a nutshell, it teaches order of operations in 3 easy steps.  First get rid of double signs and replace with one sign and bracket off each term.  Second, decide what type of multiplication is required within the term (straight multiplication called Mashing or Distributive multiplication).  Lastly, Clean up which is combining like terms.  It makes big "scary" expressions feel manageable.

 

And yes, on the far left there is a button for downloading the PDF workbook which you may read instead of watching the powerpoint.

[Cosmos]

And yes, on the far left there is a button for downloading the PDF workbook which you may read instead of watching the powerpoint.

 

Thank you! It's like torture watching those slides. I will look at the pdf later.