Sometimes in algebra you will use the initial letter of a word to stand in for that word. For example, the area of a square can be found by multiplying the length by the length.

MATT: Welcome to The Maths Show with meMatt Parker. Today we’re doing algebra,specifically negative numbers. Nownegative numbers can be quite tricky, infact for a long time mathematiciansrefused to ...

For ax 2 + bx + c = 0, (α, β) = [–b ± √(b 2 – 4ac)]/2ac, where α and β are the roots of the equation. Sum of roots = –b/a Product of roots = c/a If roots of a quadratic equation are given, then the ...

Top students can benefit greatly by being offered the subject early. But many districts offer few Black and Latino eighth graders a chance to study it. By Troy Closson From suburbs in the Northeast to ...