Algebra is using letters to represent unknown quantities and then using mathematical operations to solve for those unknown quantities. While many students are intimidated by the term "Algebra", you have been using Algebra since you were in 1st grade, if not younger! When your teacher said, "You had 4 pretzels, then I gave you more, and now you have 11 pretzels. How many more pretzels did I give you?" That was Algebra! Having a solid foundation in Algebra is CRUCIAL to succeeding in Math (and Physics, and Chemistry), so we are going to spending a lot of time this year building our mathematical foundation to make sure we will have success as we move forward in our academic career!