Perimeter of a Square

The perimeter of a square is very simple to calculate. You could add all
four sides together (ex: 2+2+2+2 = 8). Since all four sides are the same
measurement, it would be easier to multiply the measurement by 4 (ex 4
x 2 = 8).

Perimeter of a Rectangle

For a rectangle, the dimensions of the lengths are the same and the
dimensions of the widths are the same. Therefore, the following formula
can be used for rectangles.
 Circumference of a Circle

We do not call the distance around the outside of a circle, the perimeter.
Instead, we call it the circumference. Same meaning, different
terminology! Below you'll find definitions for "circle" vocabulary and the
circumference formula.
 Area of a Square

A square has 4 sides that are all exactly the same size. Therefore,
finding the area is pretty easy! Since the area of a square or rectangle is
length x width, we can just square the length of the side! Take a look!

Area of a Rectangle

A rectangle is a 4 sided figure with two pairs of parallel lines. Each set of
parallel lines has the same length. To find the area of a rectangle we are
going to multiply the length x the width.

Area of a Parallelogram

A parallelogram is another 4 sided figure with two pairs of parallel lines.

To find the area of a parallelogram, we will multiply the base x the
height. Let's look at the formula and example.
 Area of a Trapezoid

A trapezoid is a 4 sided figure formed by one pair of parallel sides. This

area formula is a little more complicated. Study the example carefully!
 Area of a Triangle

A triangle is a 3 sided figure. There are several different types of

triangles. You must be careful when trying to locate the height of the
triangle. Remember the height of the shape must be a straight, vertical
line.
 Area of a Circle

A circle, of course, has no straight lines. We use pi (3.14) when we

calculate the area of a circle.
 Volume of a Cube

Since a cube has sides that are all the same size, this is a very easy
volume formula to remember. We are going to find the area of the
bottom of the cube and multiply by the height. So, that's length x width
x height. Since the length, width and height are all the same dimensions,
we can cube the length of the side. Take a look at the example.

Volume of a Rectangular Prism

A rectangular prism is your basic box, that is not a cube. In order to find
the volume, we will multiply the length x width x height. These
dimensions may all be different, so there is no shortcut for this one!
 Volume of a Cylinder

To find the volume of a cylinder, we must find the area of the base and
multiply that by the height. Remember that the area of a circle (the base
is a circle) is Pi x radius 2.
 Other Volume Formulas

The formulas for the following shapes are pretty clear. (To be honest, I
am still looking for graphics to be able to show an example! Word does
not offer these 3-dimensional shapes!) Click here if you need more help
with these formulas.
Definition of Slope

The slope of a line defines the steepness of the line and whether the line rises or falls.

The definition of slope is the rise divided by the run, written as:

The slope is calculated by counting the rise and then counting the run. We then write the slope as
a fraction.

We use this definition when calculating slope or graphing slope.

Graphing slope also leads us to a very popular method for graphing linear equations, slope
intercept form.

Slope Intercept Form

When a linear equation is written in slope intercept form, the slope of the line can easily be
identified. The slope is "m" or the coefficient of x in the equation.

Often times a graph is not present, and we must calculate the slope when given two ordered
pairs. In this case we must use another special formula.

Calculating Slope Given Two Points

When given two points, the following formula can be used to determine the slope of the line:

This formula is commonly used to solve rate of change problems. Click here for detailed
examples on using this formula.
Laws of Exponents

There are several different "laws" or properties when working with exponents:
For detailed examples on how to use the laws of exponents, click here.
Next we'll look at a few formulas that can be used when working with polynomials.

Polynomial Formulas

There are special rules or formulas that can be used when multiplying polynomials or factoring
polynomials. Let's take a look:

Multiplying Polynomials Using FOIL

To multiply two polynomials, multiply each term in the first polynomial by each term in the
second polynomial. This is also known as using FOIL.

For detailed examples on using the FOIL Method, please click here.

Square of a Binomial

To square a binomial, you add: the square of the first term, twice the product of the two terms,
and the square of the last term. Take a look:
Click here for step by step examples on squaring a binomial.

Difference of Two Squares

When two binomials differ only by the sign between their terms (one a plus, the other a minus),
we call this a Difference of Two Squares.

The rule is very easy to remember: Subtract the square of the second term from the square of the
first term. Take a look:
Step by step examples of problems involving a difference of two squares can be found here.

Polynomials - Special Factoring

The following formulas will actually take our special products from above and work backwards
to factor. Same rules, we are just working backwords to find the factors.

Perfect Square Trinomial

A perfect square trinomial results in binomial squares.

If you notice that the first and last terms are perfect squares, then check to see if the trinomial
factors as a binomial square.

Difference of Two Squares

The Sum and Difference of Two Cubes

The following are the formulas for factoring the sum and difference of two cubes:
Quadratic Formula

There are two formulas that are associated with quadratic equations: the vertex formula and the
quadratic formula.

Vertex Formula

The vertex formula is used when you must find the vertex (minimum or maximum point) of the
parabola.

Click here for detailed examples on using the vertex formula.

Quadratic Formula

You can use the quadratic formula to solve ANY quadratic equation. It is used most when the
quadratic equation is non-factorable.

Click here to see step-by-step examples using the quadratic formula.

Our last basic algebra formula is the Pythagorean Theorem.

Pythagorean Theorem

The Pythagorean Theorem is used to identify the length of the sides of any right triangle.
Examples

Pythagorean Theorem

This man, is Pythagoras. He was one of the first Greek Mathematicians. He discovered an
amazing property of the right triangle that we all now know and love as the Pythagorean
Theorem.
This theorem is well known in Algebra and we study it in our Quadratics unit because we are
working with squared terms. Take a look.

The Pythagorean Theorem

In any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs (2 shorter sides) is equal to the square of
the hypotenuse (the longest side).

Please Note: This theorem ONLY works for Right Triangles.

Let's start by taking a look at an example where we need to find the hypotenuse.

Example 1

In a right triangle, the length of one leg is 6 cm and the length of the other leg is the square root
of 13 cm. Find the length of the hypotenuse.
Now let's look at an example of a problem where we are asked to find the length of a leg of a
right triangle.

Example 2

A ladder that is 16.5 feet tall is placed against the side of a tree. The base of the tree to the
top of the ladder is a distance of 14 feet. How far is the ladder placed away from the base of
the tree?

If word problems confuse you, the best thing you can do is draw a picture!
Are you ready to try one?
Practice Problem

1. One leg of a right triangle is 18 inches long. The hypotenuse is 24 inches long. Find the
length of the other leg.
Answer Key