Algebra [0:49]

In this course, many basic concepts essential to understanding all the mathematics used in surveying are introduced. Hopefully, this is mostly a review for students as our basic education system covers all these concepts. We begin with the number line and the concepts of positive and negative numbers; we then move into some of the basic laws of algebra. Factoring is covered next, moving on to handling equations, especially when the term being solved for is not on the left-hand side of the “equals” sign. Examples are worked using equations found in surveying. We conclude with a discussion of cross-multiplication. Running time 49 minutes.

You will learn…

• The real basics essential for all mathematical and science-related problems encountered in surveying
• The algebraic laws: associative, distributive, and commutative
• Basic equation handling to get to solving using things like cleaning out fractions or adding/subtracting terms from one side of the equation, factoring and expanding terms
• Solving an equation where the unknown is one of the variables on the right-hand side of the equation
• Applying algebraic principles to “word” problems
• Using cross-multiplication to solve many simple problems