If I'm not in error, old style algebra books ( before 1945) concentrated on equation solving, and modern ones concentrate more on functions and their graphs ( as a preparation to calculus).
Are there classical references, popular amongst math teachers - not too old references ( I'd better like not before mid 40's, for fear terminology could be out of date ) - concentrating specially on equation solving ( at the intermediate level).
I once saw a post dealing with absolute value expressions as exponents with an example taken from Dorofeev's Elementary mathematics. That kind of reference ( with that kind of exercise) would be of great interest to me. ( Unfortunately it is rather difficult to find a copy of Dorofeev's book).
Remark. When I say " not too old ones", don't understand I have prejudices against old math books. To the contrary I highly appreciate math books written during the period 1945-1970 first for typography , second for clarity and elegance in explanations, third for a certain " free thinking air" ( so to say) one can breathe in these books. As an example, I'd take Moses Richardon's books.