Algebra Quiz

What is Algebra Quiz?

This activity allows the user to practice solving algebraic equations.

Solving an algebraic equation means finding the value of an unknown value in an equation that makes that equation true. For equations in the Algebra Quiz activity, you will be asked to find solutions to single variable equations.

There are many ways to solve algebraic equations. Frequently, solving algebraic equations entails "isolating the variable" using relationships of equality and properties of real numbers such as the distributive property, the associative property, the commutative property and both multiplicative inverse and additive inverse.

Quadratic equations are also found in the Algebra Quiz game. An equation is considered "quadratic" when the variable is squared, such as x 2 =25. This type of equation often has two different answers that make the equation true, such as this one, x can be +5 or -5.

How Do I Use This Activity?

This activity allows the user to practice solving linear and quadratic algebraic equations.

In this applet, questions are categorized by a combination of level (which determines the difficulty) and by types of problems listed. For more information on how questions are generated and what each level and problem type means, see Question Types for Algebra Quiz and Algebra Four.

Controls and Output

  • To start the game, choose a question difficulty: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Whole Numbers Only. Then select the types of questions you want to answer and click the Start Game button.

  • After clicking the Start Game button, a new screen appears. Towards the left of the screen is a table that lists the types of questions selected along and the difficulty level.
  • Note that for fractions, enter your answer with a '/' symbol in between the numerator and denominator: as #/#. For quadratics with two solutions, enter your answer with a comma in between the two solutions: #,#. For quadratics with a single solution, simply just enter the single number, do NOT enter the number twice.
  • After you have entered your answer, you need to click on the Answer button to find out if you are correct.
  • You have a limited amount of time to answer. The timer at the top of the screen shows how much time you have left. Once the timer turns all gray, the time is up.
  • If you want to restart the game, you can do so by clicking on the New Game button:

Scoring

  • This activity will automatically record how successful you are at answering the questions. To view the score, press the Show Score button at the bottom of the activity and a pop-up window will appear with the scoreboard.
  • To close this pop-up window press the Close button or click back on the main window.
  • To pause the scoring, press the Active button at the bottom of the screen and it will change to a Paused button. To resume scoring, press the Paused button.
  • To reset the scoreboard, open the scoreboard using the Show Score button and then press the Reset button.

Description

This activity allows the user to practice solving algebra problems in both linear and quadratic forms. The student can choose to solve linear equations involving various properties of equality as well as solving quadratic equations in standard form. They can also choose the difficulty level and amount of time given to solve each problem. This activity would work well in groups of 2 for about 25-30 minutes if you use the exploration questions and 15-20 minutes otherwise.

Place in Mathematics Curriculum

This activity can be used to:

  • Allow students practice with solving various types of one-variable equations.

Standards Addressed

Grade 6

  • Functions and Relationships

    • The student demonstrates algebraic thinking.

  • Numeration

    • The student demonstrates conceptual understanding of fractions (proper or mixed numbers), decimals, percents (whole number), or integers.

Grade 7

  • Functions and Relationships

    • The student demonstrates algebraic thinking.

Grade 8

  • Functions and Relationships

    • The student demonstrates algebraic thinking.

Grade 9

  • Functions and Relationships

    • The student demonstrates conceptual understanding of functions, patterns, or sequences including those represented in real-world situations.
    • The student demonstrates algebraic thinking.

Grade 10

  • Functions and Relationships

    • The student demonstrates conceptual understanding of functions, patterns, or sequences including those represented in real-world situations.
    • The student demonstrates algebraic thinking.

Grade 6

  • Algebra and Functions

    • 1.0 Students write verbal expressions and sentences as algebraic expressions and equations; they evaluate algebraic expressions, solve simple linear equations, and graph and interpret their results

Grade 7

  • Algebra and Functions

    • 1.0 Students express quantitative relationships by using algebraic terminology, expressions, equations, inequalities, and graphs
    • 3.0 Students graph and interpret linear and some nonlinear functions
    • 4.0 Students solve simple linear equations and inequalities over the rational numbers

Sixth Grade

  • Expressions and Equations

    • Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.
    • Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.
    • Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables.

Seventh Grade

  • Expressions and Equations

    • Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.

Algebra

  • Arithmetic with Polynomials and Rational Expressions

    • Perform arithmetic operations on polynomials
    • Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials
    • Rewrite rational expressions

  • Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities

    • Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning
    • Solve equations and inequalities in one variable

  • Seeing Structure in Expressions

    • Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems

Grades 6-8

  • Algebra

    • Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols

Grade 5

  • Number and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Data Analysis and Probability, Algebra

    • COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relationships, and elementary algebraic representation.

Grade 6

  • Number and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Data Analysis and Probability, Algebra

    • COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of simple algebraic expressions.

Grade 7

  • Number and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Data Analysis and Probability, Algebra

    • COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.

Algebra I

  • Number and Operations

    • Competency Goal 1: The learner will perform operations with numbers and expressions to solve problems.

Integrated Mathematics

  • Number and Operations

    • Competency Goal 1: The learner will perform operations with numbers and expressions to solve problems.

Integrated Mathematics II

  • Number and Operations

    • Competency Goal 1: The learner will perform operations with numbers, algebraic expressions, and matrices to solve problems.

Grade 7

  • Patterns, Relationships, and Algebraic Thinking

    • 5. The student uses equations to solve problems.

Algebra I

  • Foundation for Functions

    • 2. The student uses the properties and attributes of functions.
    • 4. The student understands the importance of the skills required to manipulate symbols in order to solve problems and uses the necessary algebraic skills required to simplify algebraic expressions and solve equations and inequalities in problem situations.

  • Linear Functions

    • 7. The student formulates equations and inequalities based on linear functions, uses a variety of methods to solve them, and analyzes the solutions in terms of the situation.
    • 8. The student formulates systems of linear equations from problem situations, uses a variety of methods to solve them, and analyzes the solutions in terms of the situation.

  • Quadratic and Other Nonlinear Functions

    • 10. The student understands there is more than one way to solve a quadratic equation and solves them using appropriate methods.

Secondary

  • Algebra I

    • A.01 The student will solve multistep linear equations and inequalities in one variable, solve literal equations (formulas) for a given variable, and apply these skills to solve practical problems. Graphing calculators will be used to confirm algebraic solutions.
    • A.14 The student will solve quadratic equations in one variable both algebraically and graphically. Graphing calculators will be used both as a primary tool in solving problems and to verify algebraic solutions.

Textbooks Aligned

7th

  • Module 2 - Bright Ideas

    • Section 1: Decimals and Exponents

8th

  • Module 1 - Amazing Feats and Facts and Fiction

    • Section 3: Equations and Expressions

  • Module 6 - Visualizing Change

    • Section 2: Linear Equations and Problem Solving

Be Prepared to

  • Explain the difference between solving a quadratic equation vs. solving a linear one.
  • Encourage students to try more difficult problems and decrease the allowed time.