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COGENT by Successful Mathematics

Great math software starts with great math

COGENT's courses are the books of mathematics educator Felix Nagy-Lup, taught the way the math is built. Not just a better app. Better math.

The order matters See COGENT
  1. 1. Math 1, unit 1Powersx² · x³ = x⁵
  2. 2. Math 1, unit 3Polynomials(2x + 3)(3x + 5)
  3. 3. Math 1, unit 4Linear equations4(2x − 1) − 10 = 2

Each step stands on the one below it.

One example

Taught in the order math is built

“The order the concepts are taught is very important!” is how Felix Nagy-Lup puts it. Most algebra books start with linear equations and functions, cover polynomials later, and reach powers near the end.

That is backwards. Solving a linear equation is polynomial work, and polynomials run on the laws of exponents, which students learn with powers. So his courses start with powers, then polynomials, then linear equations, and every new idea stands on one the student already has.

Most algebra books

Linear equations, then polynomials, then powers near the end.

COGENT's Math 1

  1. 1. Math 1, unit 1Powersx² · x³ = x⁵
  2. 2. Math 1, unit 3Polynomials(2x + 3)(3x + 5)
  3. 3. Math 1, unit 4Linear equations4(2x − 1) − 10 = 2

See it in three lines of math

  1. Step i

    Powers: the laws of exponents

    4x² · 5x³ = 20x⁵

    Multiply the numbers, add the exponents.

  2. Step ii

    Polynomials: multiplying them uses those laws

    (2x + 3)(3x + 5)

    = 6x² + 10x + 9x + 15

    = 6x² + 19x + 15

    Every term meets every term, and x · x = x² is a law of exponents.

    Needs step i

  3. Step iii

    Linear equations: polynomial work on top

    4(2x − 1) − 10 = 2

    8x − 4 − 10 = 2

    8x − 14 = 2

    8x = 16

    x = 2

    Solving it starts by multiplying out, which is step ii.

    Needs step ii

And more

Built to be learned from

  • Every lesson has a video

    An animated video walks through the examples, step by step, for every lesson: more than 1,000 of them.

  • Every answer has the steps

    Practice checks each answer the moment it is given, and a stuck student gets Show me the steps, which walks them through it.

  • Their own numbers

    Questions with changing numbers give every student their own version, so practice stays practice.

  • Practice, homework and tests

    Practice and homework with every lesson, quizzes and unit tests to check it, and a Cumulative Review at the end of each middle school grade.

  • End-of-Course test prep built in

    Math 1 ends with End-of-Course Test Prep and a Practice Test; Math 2 & 3 ends with practice sets and a full Math 3 End-of-Course Exam.

The author

The books are the courses

Felix Nagy-Lup's printed books are the COGENT courses, now with a video for every lesson, questions that mark themselves, and the steps for every answer.

Class sets and book orders: felixn@successfulmathematics.com

  • Item Banks, 6th, 7th and 8th GradeIn COGENT: the Middle School courses
  • Item Banks, Math 1, Math 2 and Math 3In COGENT: the High School courses
  • End of Course Test Prep, Math 1In COGENT: the last units of Math 1
  • End of Course Test Prep, Math 3In COGENT: the last units of Math 2 & 3

Questions

Common questions

What is COGENT?
COGENT is an online math course platform from Successful Mathematics for students, teachers, parents, schools and districts. Its courses currently run from 6th Grade through Math 3, plus College Algebra, with a video for every lesson, practice that checks every answer at once, step-by-step solutions, homework, quizzes and tests, live class games, and grading that does itself.
Who writes the math in COGENT?
COGENT's math content is written by mathematics educator Felix Nagy-Lup. His printed books (the Item Banks for 6th, 7th and 8th Grade and Math 1, 2 and 3, and the End of Course Test Prep books for Math 1 and Math 3) are the COGENT courses, now online.
In what order does COGENT teach algebra, and why?
COGENT's Math 1 teaches powers first (unit 1), then polynomials (unit 3), then linear equations (unit 4), and functions after that. Most algebra books do the reverse. Solving a linear equation is polynomial work, and polynomials run on the laws of exponents, so in this order every new idea stands on one the student already has.
Is COGENT good for North Carolina's Math 1, Math 2 and Math 3?
Yes. COGENT has full Math 1 and Math 2 & 3 courses, and they end with End-of-Course test prep: Math 1 with End-of-Course Test Prep and a Practice Test, and Math 2 & 3 with practice sets and a full Math 3 End-of-Course Exam.
How do students get help when they are stuck?
Every practice answer is checked the moment it is given. A stuck student can press Show me the steps, which walks them through the author's own worked solution, and every lesson has an animated video that works the examples step by step.
What makes COGENT different from other math programs?
The math itself. The courses are a mathematics educator's books, taught in the order the math is built, with a video for every lesson, the steps for every answer, and questions with changing numbers so every student gets their own version. Live class games, the Mech Vector game and automatic grading are built around that content.

See it for yourself

Every course from 6th Grade through Math 3, with the video, the practice and the steps.

See COGENT See the courses