Prealgebra and middle school mathematics serve as a bridge between elementary arithmetic and high school algebra, focusing on deepening number sense and introducing more abstract mathematical concepts. Students strengthen their understanding of fractions, decimals, percentages, and integers, and learn to apply operations with these numbers in real-world and mathematical contexts. They explore ratios, rates, and proportions, laying the groundwork for algebraic reasoning. The curriculum introduces variables, expressions, and equations, helping students begin to solve for unknowns and understand the properties of operations. Geometry concepts also expand to include angle relationships, area, surface area, volume, and coordinate plane graphing.
As students progress through middle school math (typically grades 6–8), they begin to study linear relationships, systems of equations, and inequalities in more depth. They analyze data through measures of central tendency, box plots, and scatter plots, and develop basic probability skills. Concepts like the Pythagorean Theorem, exponents, square roots, and transformations on the coordinate plane are introduced. By 8th grade, students are working with functions and exploring the foundations of linear algebra, preparing them for more formal study in high school math. Overall, prealgebra and middle school math aim to build mathematical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and confidence in handling increasingly abstract and complex concepts.