Algebra Tip #1

Order of Operations
The Order of Operations is one of the most important rules in Algebra. If you do operations in the wrong order, it is impossible to get a correct answer.

Algebra students are often faced with long equations that include multiplication and division, addition and subtraction, parentheses in the equation and exponents. From left to right, the same parts of the equation must be solved first, every time.

First, go through the equation from left to right. Solve everything in parentheses. Second, deal with the exponents. Third, go through the equation from left to right and solve every multiplication and division problem. Fourth, go through the equation from left to right, and solve every addition and subtraction problem.
 
Rules of Zero
Zero has unique properties in Algebra. It is best to memorize them for whenever zero pops up in an equation.
In fractions, when zero is the numerator (0/x), then 0/x = 0.
Zero, however, can never be the denominator.

Any number multiplied by 0 = 0.

Exponents utilize multiplication. Zero followed by an exponent equals zero. However, any other number to the zero power equals 1.

Distributive Property
The Distributive Property in Algebra dictates what to do when a value is multiplied by an equation in parentheses. For example:

8(2x + 1) = ?

In the Order of Operations discussed above, the equation in the parentheses must be completed first. However, without knowing what "x" equals, we cannot do anything inside the parentheses. So, to solve the problem we will apply the Distributive Property.

8(2x + 1) = ?
Distribute the 8 among the values inside the parentheses:
8*2x + 8*1 = ?
Or
16x + 8 = ?

Now that we have applied the Distributive Property, we can solve the equation.
16x = -8
x = -2.