Algebra: Calculators, Formulas and Practice
Choose an algebra calculator, review formulas and identities, or practice with original worked questions and printable worksheets.
What do you want to work out?
Solve an equation
Find an unknown, solve a quadratic, or solve two linear equations together. See each transformation and check the answer.
Open the Algebra Calculator with StepsSimplify an expression
Combine terms, expand brackets, and substitute values. Exact fractions avoid rounding an intermediate calculation.
Open the Expression CalculatorWork with algebraic fractions
Cancel common factors or combine fractions, while keeping values that make an original denominator zero excluded.
Open the Algebraic Fractions CalculatorLearn and practice
Review formulas and identities, then try a worked question or print a fresh worksheet with an answer key.
Create a worksheetWhat is algebra?
Algebra describes numerical relationships with letters and operations. In 3x + 2 = 14, the letter x represents an unknown number. Subtracting 2 and then dividing by 3 gives x = 4. Substitution checks the result: 3 × 4 + 2 = 14.
A letter can also represent a changing quantity. If a service charges a fixed $15 plus $8 per hour, the cost is C = 15 + 8h. Two hours cost $31. Writing the relationship first helps you calculate other cases and see which assumptions drive the answer.
Choose a tool by the mathematical task, rather than just the presence of a letter. Solving, simplifying, factoring and evaluating produce different kinds of answers.
Expressions, equations and identities
- Expression:
2x + 3x − 1simplifies to5x − 1. It has no equals sign and does not determine a value of x. - Equation:
5x − 1 = 9is true when x = 2. Solving finds the values that make both sides equal. - Identity:
(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2is true for every value of a and b. Expanding both sides verifies the relationship. - Algebraic fraction:
(x^2 − 1)/(x − 1)simplifies tox + 1, but x = 1 stays excluded.
The tools on this page show their supported scope. Equations are limited to one-variable linear or quadratic forms and two-variable linear systems; polynomial expansion and identity checks support degree 8. Fractions use polynomial fields in x, each up to degree 2.
A practical learning sequence
Begin with order of operations, signed numbers and fractions. Then practice combining like terms and applying the distributive law. These skills make equation solving easier because you can first reduce each side to a clear form.
Next, solve linear equations by applying the same operation to both sides. Learn factoring and square identities before studying quadratics. For fractions, identify excluded values before cancelling factors. Keep your working so a teacher, colleague or future version of you can follow each decision.
Use the worked questions to review one method at a time. The worksheet generator offers foundation and stretch sets, including mixed practice. Print a questions-only copy before looking at its worked answer key.