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Intermediate Algebra

(Formerly called Algebra 3) Algebraic subjects covered include advanced quadratics, polynomials, conics, general functions, logarithms, clever factorizations and substitutions, systems of equations, sequences and series, symmetric sums, advanced factoring methods, classical inequalities, functional equations, and more.

24 weeks

Diagnostics

ARE YOU READY? DO YOU NEED THIS?

Documents

SYLLABUS
24 weeks ARE YOU READY? DO YOU NEED THIS? SYLLABUS  

Schedule

Thursday
Oct 17 - Apr 24
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Oct 17 - Apr 24
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
CLOSED
Sunday
Nov 10 - May 11
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Nov 10 - May 11
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
WAITLIST
Tuesday
Dec 3 - May 27
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Dec 3 - May 27
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL
Friday
Jan 17 - Jun 27
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Jan 17 - Jun 27
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL
Wednesday
Feb 12 - Jul 23
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Feb 12 - Jul 23
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL
Sunday
Mar 16 - Sep 14
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Mar 16 - Sep 14
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL
Tuesday
Mar 25 - Sep 2
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Mar 25 - Sep 2
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL
Monday
Apr 21 - Oct 13
7:30 - 9:00
PM ET
Apr 21 - Oct 13
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern
6:30 - 8:00 PM Central
5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain
4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific
Click here to see more time zones
$670 (~$28/lesson)
$744 w/books
$670 (~$28/lesson)
With Books $744
ENROLL

AoPS Holidays

There are no classes November 25 ‐ December 1, December 21 ‐ January 3, May 24 ‐ 26, July 4 ‐ 6, August 29 ‐ September 1, and October 31, 2025.

Who Should Take?

Students should have a mastery of basic algebra up through and including quadratic equations before taking this course. Typically this class follows our Introduction to Geometry class.

This course goes beyond what you would find in a typical honors Algebra curriculum. Algebra courses vary widely in their definitions, but our Intermediate Algebra class covers topics typically found in honors Algebra 2 and Precalculus classes, as well as many topics that are not found in most other curricula. Students who have completed a typical honors Algebra 2 course elsewhere may be ready for Intermediate Algebra.

Lessons

1 Review and Overview
2 Functions Review
3 Complex Numbers
4 Quadratic Equations and Graphing Parabolas
5 Minima, Maxima, and Circles
6 Conics
7 Polynomial Division, the Remainder Theorem, the Factor Theorem
8 Integer and Rational Roots
9 Proof by Contradiction and Irrational Roots
10 Vieta's Formulas
11 Multivariable Polynomials
12 Advanced Strategies for Polynomials
13 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and Series
14 Advanced Sequences and Series
15 Induction
16 Exponents and Logarithms
17 Radicals, Monotonic, and Even and Odd Functions
18 Rational Functions and Partial Fractions
19 Piecewise Functions, Absolute Value, Integer and Fractional Part
20 Inequalities
21 Mean Inequality Chain
22 Cauchy-Schwarz Inequality
23 Functional Equations
24 More Functional Equations and Challenging Problems

Required Textbook

Intermediate Algebra
By Richard Rusczyk and Mathew Crawford

A comprehensive textbook covering Algebra 2 and topics in Precalculus. This book is the follow-up to the acclaimed Introduction to Algebra textbook. In addition to offering standard Algebra 2 and Precalculus curriculum, the text includes advanced topics such as those problem solving strategies required for success on the AMC and AIME competitions.
Related course: Intermediate Algebra

This was the best math course I have ever taken. I have always been very strong in math and have taken many challenging courses. Intermediate Algebra challenged me at a greater level. Writing problems are the main way that Intermediate Algebra challenged me at a new level. If I had not taken this course, I never would have known the complex proof methods I have learned. The writing problems have also made me more prepared to succeed at contests like the Mandelbrot Competition and the USAMO, as I have learned proof-writing strategies. I always like to know a lot about topics, especially topics that I have a passion for, like math. Intermediate Algebra fulfilled that desire. This was also a great help for preparing for contests like the AMC 12. All in all, this was an excellent course.