Algebra 1 Compared to Algebra 2

Student working on Algebra problems on whiteboard.
••• IPGGutenbergUKLtd/iStock/Getty Images

Algebra I and algebra II, along with geometry, form the basic high school mathematics curriculum in the United States. The courses are highly interrelated, with algebra II building upon knowledge accumulated in algebra I. Each course takes one academic year to complete.

Algebra I Topics

Students typically take algebra I in their first year of high school, so the course serves as an introduction to more advanced classes like geometry, algebra II and precalculus. The standard algebra I curriculum aims to give students basic command of the tools of algebraic problem solving like tackling linear equations with one or two variables or unknown values in an equation. Students also learn how to manipulate exponents -- or numbers multiplied by themselves -- and to factor equations with exponential terms, called polynomials, by rewriting them in simpler but equivalent forms.

Algebra II Topics

Algebra II builds on the topics covered in algebra I by teaching students to apply algebraic reasoning to increasingly complex problems. In algebra II, students learn to apply their linear equation-solving skills to equations with more than two variables, for example. They also learn more difficult factoring techniques and begin working on more advanced exponential functions like logarithms. Additionally, they study irrational and imaginary numbers like "i" -- the square root of negative 1.

Related Articles

How to Divide Polynomials By Monomials
How to Solve a Parabola
How to Convert From a Standard to a Vertex Form
How to Convert Pounds Per Square Foot to PSI
How to Solve for a Variable in a Trig Function
How to Find Equations of Tangent Lines
How to Solve for Both X & Y
How to Find the Height of a Rectangular Pyramid
How to Factorise a Quadratic Expression
College Algebra Course Description
How to Solve Binomial Equations by Factoring
Endpoint Math Formula
How to Factor Binomial Cubes
How to Convert Diameter to Square Centimeters
What Is the Difference Between Finite Math & Pre-Calculus?
How do I Define Two Step Equations for Algebra 2?
What Are Math Computation Skills?
Difference Between Algebra II & Trigonometry
How to Factor Polynomials With 4 Terms
How to Divide Rational Numbers

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!