Strand 4 Junior Certificate Higher Level Algebra

A quadratic is a type of problem that deals with a variable multiplied by itself. This operation is known as ‘squaring’ and is derived from the area of a square with its side length multiplied by itself. This course will teach you how to factorize quadratics. You will look at equations with linear functions in the denominator, quadratic equations with both brackets of the same sign, and quadratic equations with both brackets of different signs. You will also study quadratic equations using specific formulae.

Surds are numbers left in root form (√) to express their exact value. They are left as surds because, in the decimal form, they would go on infinitely. This course will teach you how to simplify surds with some simple rules. You will learn how to use discriminants for quadratic equations and how to solve linear inequalities with fractions. You will also study the different methods for solving quadratic inequalities.

Algebra is one of the strands of the new Project Maths course in the Irish curriculum. On completion of this course, you will have a much better understanding of factorization as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of expressions. You will also have a stronger grasp of word problems leading to simultaneous and quadratic equations, equations involving fractions, and solutions of linear inequalities.