To be proficient in Algebra, one has to know multiplication facts. Understanding the breakdown of prime numbers of all larger numbers (also called factoring) is a large part of Algebra. My students, who are taking Algebra anyway, are not really taking Algebra - they are just going through the motions and will struggle in college. Seeing this connection is huge - and has often been downplayed in recent times to make up for the lack of multiplication knowledge.

This is why so many fail college Algebra.