How Do I Pass Algebra 1?

It helps to have a good grasp of

• arithmetic--adding and subtracting signed numbers, as well as multiplying and dividing them
• mixed fractions, improper fractions, decimal fractions, percentages, ratios, and the conversions between these
• place value and scientific notation
  
• substituting values for variables
• ordered pairs and graphing
  
• order of operations in evaluating expressions
• multiplication tables, at least through 12*12
• squares of numbers through 20*20, square roots of 2, 3, 5 (to 3 decimal places)
  
• Pythagorean Theorem
• equation for a line in several different forms: Slope-intercept; 2-point; point-slope
• what the formulas look like when lines are parallel or perpendicular
  
• "completing the square" as a method for solving quadratic equations
• the quadratic formula (related to "completing the square")
• definitions of things like "intercept", "vertex"
• steps to solve linear equations
• steps to solving inequalities, including ones with absolute value
• Pi (common approximations), formulas for circumference and area of a circle
• formulas for perimeter and area of common geometric figures.

That's not very much stuff for a year's work. Pick a bullet, work on it until you understand it. Move on. (A lot of the first several bullets are things that came well before Algebra 1, some as early as 2^nd or 3^rd grade. You do have to remember this stuff beyond the test, so it pays to actually understand it. That way it's not so much a matter of memory.)

A tutor can help. Your helper should be able to explain things to you in a manner you can understand. Sometimes it helps to get physical--play with blocks; cook with recipes involving fractions. Do the numbers by hand (don't use a calculator). Learn to use an abacus or soroban.

Algebra I can be kinda difficult I took it 2 years ago. The way I passed it is by just remembering the formulas. The most important one is y=mx+b. That's the only one that most on the semester finals.

Get a tutor, study a couple hours every night and remember the rhymes associated with the problems.