History of Algebra

Invented in the first millennium BC, algebra was first invented in the middle-east. The ancient geniuses applied algebra for solving day-to-day problems while the Asian or rather Chinese counterpart used geometry for the same function

The Nature of Algebra

Algebra is not just for solving formulas, it helps, simplifying rational expressions , and converting fractions to decimals, algebra is one of the sciences that has the most applicability when it comes to the real world. Through a systematic foundation of this knowledge (Algebra I, Algebra II, and College Algebra), the education system makes us conscious of the mathematical tools applied for daily life.

Algebra I

The pupils are given an introduction in this study course to numbers, solving linear equations , graphing systems of linear equations, graphing linear inequalities, laws of exponents, solving linear equations , and factoring polynomials. This course sets the base for the rest of the higher algebra waiting to be searched in the next two levels.
If a pupil is keen on learning algebra down to its roots, then this is the most fundamental study course.

Algebra II

Once the pupils are competent with Algebra I constructs, Algebra II can be taken up for expanding the spectrum of this incredible segment of mathematics. There are two aspects of Algebra II; emphasizing more on the topics studied in Algebra I and introduction to new constructs. When it comes to the new introductions, adding and subtracting matrices, quadratic functions, resolving exponential equations, probability and statistics are important.
In this stage of study, pupils are supposed to stress more on the fundamental concepts.

College Algebra

This is one of the most key degrees of studying Algebra with nearly no new topic brought in. I assume it is rather comic, but this is the nature of mathematics. Do you know why maths is called the queen of all scientific disciplines ? That’s because of the unforeseeable nature of mathematics!

Help!!!

There are many methods and tools available for getting assistance for Algebra disciplines. The first and the foremost principal source is an Algebra instructor from whom you can get help and aid.
In addition to the above methods, one should never underestimate the use of Algebra software system that is especially designed to solve algebraic problems with informative steps. This software package really contributes insight in to Algebraic procedures of solving equations, by providing students to simply watch and learn through good examples.

What is Algebra?

A brief introduction of Algebra would be a branch of mathematics which substitutes letters for numbers; therefore, algebraic equations can be viewed as a scale. Algebra includes real numbers, complex numbers, matrices and vectors.

The Different Spheres

Generally, algebra spreads across many domains of mathematics. for example; Multiplying exponents, dividing exponents, Solving quadratic inequalities, Finding Greatest common factor or GCM, Multiplying, Adding, Subtracting fractions and many more.

If the above mentioned areas are already making you nervous, I hope that the definitions to follow will relieve your anxiousness and give real insight in to the subject matter.

Exponents are just shorthand for denoting multiplication of identical factors. Fractions on the other hand are used for expressing numbers that are parts of a whole. Many such similar areas in algebra may sound fearful at first, but once you understand the simple concept behind it, you will be enthralled by its purpose. To state a few more – Mixed numbers, Quadratic formula, Graphing linear inequalities, solving compound in equalities , Factoring binomials, and Factoring polynomials; are all algebraic expressions.

Although you may find it confusing to understand mixed numbers, but it will really interest you to note that they are none other than a form of fractions. Graphing linear inequalities states its purpose pretty distinctly by its name. Similarly there are many other algebraic areas which are really interesting to work with.

How to Find a Private Instructor

If you want to quench your thirst for algebraic knowledge further and you do not have any instructors there is nothing to worry about. Because There are online lessons too. These lessons emphasize the practical ways rather than the theory, showing stable techniques. Algebraic helper packages can assist you in the process of figuring and working through maths problems in a systematic, step by step fashion while offering good examples and explanations for all steps involved.

Algebra and its Link to Geometry

Geometry is focused on using algebraic expressions to calculate dimensions of a circle, determining if a curve is a parabola or hyperbola or even pinning down the vertex of a hyperbola. Be it simple operations such as determining the midpoint of a line or finding the radius of a circle, to more complicated operations such as figuring out if a parabola opens up; algebra is most substantial for geometry.

Solving Exponents and Equations in Algebra

Algebra can solve any inequalities from linear or quadratic to radical or exponential. With algebra one can solve inequalities and even graph systems of fractional equations and fractional inequalities. If exponents have been troubling your head, a careful grasp of algebraic expressions will ease the pain allowing you to work through it easily. Algebra works with the Laws of exponents by facilitating one to add, subtract, divide and multiply expressions with ease and assurance.

Evaluate Fractions and Polynomials – Using Algebra Calculators

Whether you have problems in solving, comparing or converting fractions, algebra solvers can work their magic for you. The algebra software solves problems posted and is able to produce results immediately. even, complex matrix equations like inverse matrix and other matrix operations can be handled with the algebra calculator software. Simplification of algebraic and arithmetic expressions along with factoring polynomials to determining the Least Common Multiple and Greatest Common Divisor is now a piece of cake with the latest algebra solvers.

Professional Help at an Arm’s Reach

Pupils often get professional help from private instructors who will provide you with a step-by-step solution for your problems. Math tutors are at your disposition for those hard problems which can get you easily bugged. The math solvers that are available in today’s market come with numerous options that will suit your every need. When it comes to algebraic software, you will find different functions from algebraic calculators to other functions that can tackle any math problem.

According to the latest federal law, once a year you can get a free copy of your credit report from these companies. If you have not taken advantage of this freebie, go to http://www.ftc.gov and follow the free credit report link.

This article however isn’t about the “big three” as they are now called. It is about the CRAs you have never heard of which means you don’t know they exist. If you don’t know they exist, you don’t know their potential danger to your personal financial health.

Since I don’t like “secret” organizations possessing super detrimental powers, I authored this exposé.

Exposé may be a bit of overkill but after you read it, decide for yourself. You see, if you have ever had a telephone, checking account, ATM card, applied for an apartment, or done any of the consumer type things we all do, you might be in one of these unknown databases.

I will begin with the organization commonly referred to as the “telephone bill deadbeat database” by the phone companies. The official name is the National Consumer Telecommunications Data Exchange, Inc. (NCTDE). It was “legalized” by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in September 1997 and went into operation in March 1998.

I bet you didn’t know the DOJ had legislative power, did you? Privacy rights activists didn’t either but, to date, no amount of effort has been effective in dismantling what has become a behemoth in the telecommunications industry.

The NCTDE (bureaucrats are fond of acronyms) is an information exchange service for its long distance carrier members. Each member reports the names of the people who failed to pay their long distance charges. Not only do they report you to NCTDE but to a third party set up by the NCTDE to maintain the database.

Equifax is that third party at present. The bright spot is the NCTDE database is managed in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Note: I put contact information on all of the organizations listed in this article at:
http://www.senior2senior.org/healthandcreditresources.html This way, you only have to visit one page to get contact addresses on these organizations and many, many others.

Chex System, TeleCheck and SCAN are well known to the merchants of this fine country. They each maintain a database of bad check writers. Your name could be on their list if you’ve written as few as one bad check and whether it was your fault or not.

How can it not be your fault? If you are like me you sometimes forget to post a check in your register and before you know it, you’ve written another one and it clears before the first one. The result isn’t always a bounced check but it could be and bingo! you are now entered into the Chex System, TeleCheck and/or SCAN database.

When this happens, they now have your name, address, telephone number, bank account number and whatever identification – usually driver license number – you put on the check per request of the store. I bet you’d agree that is a lot of information about you.

Once on this list, you can be refused check writing privileges by any subscribing merchant. Plus, you may not be able to open a checking account at your home town bank. That’s right, banks are subscribing members too.

Since they do not make as much money from a checking account as they do their other services, they tend to monitor this area closely. While technically not the fault of these companies you were denied an account, they are still the ones maintaining the database so they take the heat.

If you are having problems in this area, the best resource I can find for actual help and results is: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/FeaturedArticles/ChexSystems.shtml I am not affiliated in any way with this site and make not a dime from listing their website. If I had problems, this is the site I’d use.

Or, if you want to go it alone, here are their web addresses and toll free numbers:

ChexSystems
www.chexhelp.com
1-800-428-9623

SCAN
www.scanassist.com
1-800-262-7771

TeleCheck
www.telecheck.com
1-800-710-9898

Believe it or not, a Debit Bureau now exists. Just like credit bureaus aid in credit granting decisions, the Debit Bureau aids in debit granting decisions. ATM card issuance and limits thereon and check acceptance are examples of debit transactions as defined by banks.

You are correct if you believe this outfit duplicates, to some degree, the aforementioned three companies. Sorry, but you just have to live with it.

The type of information the Debit Bureau has on a person consists of your (bank) account opening and closing history, check order history, check writing history, collections data, frequency of debit and ATM card use and your personal demographics. Re-read this list because it is truly awesome and, in fact, contains more vital information than your credit report.

For more information on the Debit Bureau visit: http://www.debitbureau.com An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially with this organization.

Tenant screening services are well known in the property management business. They provide information on a prospective tenant that helps the manager make informed decisions. That’s the theory and, for the most part, it actually works that way.

If this is true, than the information must be fairly accurate but just what type of information is in a tenant screening report?

For starters, don’t believe the information about you is accurate. Just like credit reporting agencies screw up, well, so do these outfits. If your prior landlord(s) have reported your payment and residency history, it will be in the report. If you’ve ever been evicted or foreclosed on, this info will be in the public records and it’ll also be in the screener’s report.

Your criminal history will be in the report. If you have a felony, misdemeanor, or traffic convictions, all public records, they too will be in your report. The silver lining in this cloud is the Fair Credit Reporting Act governs tenant screening reports.

If you are turned down for a rental and the manager has used a screening agency, you must, by law, be furnished with all of the information in your file at the time of your application and the source of this information. You must also be given a list of the people who have received a copy of this report in the past year plus a statement of your rights regarding this report.

If the above agencies don’t send a chill down your spine, you don’t have a pulse. These lesser known services are probably more dangerous to your “identity” than the big three.

Why?

Until now, one, you didn’t know they existed and two, by extension, you don’t know how much false and/or negative information is contained in their files. This all adds up to, at the very least, a wrongful denial of credit or debit services, denial of phone services and denial of checking services.

At the extreme end is Identity Theft. Your identity that is. If you fall victim to Identity Theft, you could potentially lose everything you have and not receive remedy for five, or more, years.

Hopefully you will visit our resource page (see above) plus do some research on your own. After all, keeping yourself informed on who has what about you in their database is just smart personal privacy protection.

©2006 All Rights Reserved

Tom Koziol is Executive Secretary for a non-profit focusing on senior citizens. Visit http://www.senior2senior.org and pick up fifteen free topical ebooks and a ton of free resources just for stopping by and browsing. Email him at: tom@senior2senior.org