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IGCSE Maths CIE Your notes

Algebra Toolkit
Contents
Algebraic Notation & Vocabulary
Algebra Basics

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Algebraic Notation & Vocabulary

Your notes
Algebraic Notation
What is algebraic notation?
When writing expressions in algebra (as opposed to sums in numbers) there are conventions and
symbols that are used that take on a particular meaning
This is what we mean by algebraic notation
In number work, for adding and subtracting, we use + and –
In algebra, we still do!
Examples:
a+b
c+d–e
However for multiplication, no symbol is used, and for division, fractions are used
Examples:
ab (means a × b)
a
(means a ÷ b)
b
3 ab (means 3 × a × b)
We can have combinations of these of course
Examples:
c
ab + (means a×b + c÷3)
3
The order of operations still apply in algebra so a×b and c÷d would happen before the
addition
Powers (indices) and roots are used the same way as with numbers
Examples:
a2 means a × a
4a2 means 4 × a2
With the order of operations, a2 will happen before multiplying by 4
Brackets also work in the same way as with numbers
Examples
3( a + b ) means 3 × ( a + b ) but with brackets taking priority, when known, a + b
would be worked out first, then we would multiply by 3
5x (2x + 3) means 5 × x × (2 × x + 3) , again with the brackets worked out first
How will I need to use algebraic notation?
Algebraic expressions are used in many parts of the course

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You need to be able to understand their meaning and work with them
e.g. for rearranging a formula
You may be given a situation in words that you then have to write in algebra Your notes
Which could lead to an equation you may then have to solve

Worked example
At the start of a competition, Raheem has p conkers and Howard has 2q conkers.
At the end of the competition Raheem still has the same number of conkers he started with but
Howard won 6 and lost none.

(a) Write down an expression for the number of conkers that Howard has at the end of the
competition.
Howard has 2 q + 6
At the end of the competition, Raheem and Howard have a total of 40 conkers.

(b) Write an equation in terms of p and q that shows the number of conkers Raheem and
Howard have in total at the end of the competition.

p + 2 q + 6 = 40
This can be simplified to p + 2q = 34

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Algebraic Vocabulary
You need to know the meanings of the word term and factor, as they are the basic building blocks in Your notes
algebra.
You need to know the differences between an expression, equation, formula and inequality in order
to fully understand algebra and proofs. You may be asked to identify which is which.

What is a term?
A term is either…
…a letter (variable) on its own, e.g. x
..a number on its own, e.g. 20
…a number multiplied by a letter, e.g. 5 x
The number in front of a letter is called a coefficient
The coefficient of x in the term 6 x is 6
The coefficient of y in the term -5 y is -5
Terms that are just numbers (with no letters) are called constants
Terms can include powers and more than one letter
E.g. 6 xy, 4x2 , ab3c, …

What is a factor?
A factor is any number or letter that divides a term exactly (with no remainder)
E.g. all the factors of 4xy are 1, 2, 4, x, 2x, 4x, y, 2y, 4y, xy, 2xy and 4xy
A term can be separated into factors that multiply together to give that term
E.g. two factors of 5 x are 5 and x
To factorise means to write something as a multiplication of factors
A common factor is one that divides both terms
The highest (or greatest) common factor is 2x
E.g. the common factors of 6 xy and 4x are 2, x and 2x

What is an expression?
An expression is an algebraic statement that does not have an equals sign
There is nothing to solve
An expression is made by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing terms
6y
E.g. 2x + 5 y, b2 – 2cd, ,…
5t
A single term can be an expression

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Expressions can be simplified (made easier)

E.g. x + x + x simplifies to 3 x
Your notes
What is an equation?
An equation is an algebraic statement with an equals sign between a left-hand side and a right-
hand side
Both sides are equal in value
E.g. if 2x has the same value as 10, then 2x = 10
An equation can be solved by finding the missing values of the letters that make the left-hand
side equal to the right-hand side
x = 5 is called the solution
E.g. the equation 2x = 10 is solved by x = 5

What is a formula?
A formula is a worded rule, definition or relationship between different quantities, written in
shorthand using letters
The formula is w = mg
E.g. weight, w, is mass, m, multiplied by gravitational acceleration, g
It is common to substitute numbers into a formula, but a formula on its own cannot be solved
To turn a formula into an equation, more information is needed
E.g. In the formula w = mg, if w = 50 and m = 5 then the equation 50 = 5 g can be formed

What is an inequality?
An inequality compares a left-hand side to a right-hand side and states which one is bigger
x > y means x is greater than y
x ≥ y means x is greater than, or equal to, y
x < y means x is less than y
x ≤ y means x is less than, or equal to, y
E.g. x ≥ 8 means x can take any value that is greater than, or equal to, 8
This is the same as saying “8 or more”, or "at least 8"
The solutions of inequalities are usually, themselves, inequalities
x + 10 < 15 solves to give x < 5, so x is any number less than 5

Exam Tip
To fully understand the wording of an exam question you need to know the difference
between an expression, equation, formula and inequality.

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) From the list below, write down the
(i) expression,
(ii) term,
(iii) equation.
2x + 5 = 4 7x – 9 x = vt – w 3 x 4x – 1 ≥ 0

(i) An expression does not have an equals or inequality sign

7 x – 9 is the expression

(ii) A term is a number, letter or combination of both

3 x is the term

(iii) An equation has an equals sign and can be solved

2 x + 5 = 4 is the equation

(b) Write down correct names for the two remaining items on the list.

x = vt – w is a group of different quantities forming a relationship

x = vt – w is a formula
4x – 1 ≥ 0 compares the siz e of two quantities using an inequality sign

4x – 1 ≥ 0 is an inequality

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Algebra Basics
Your notes
Substitution
What is substitution?
Substitution is where we replace letters in a formula with their values
This allows you to find one other value that is in the formula

How do we substitute numbers into a formula?

Write down the formula, if not clearly stated in question
Substitute the numbers given, using brackets around negative numbers, (-3), (-5) etc
Simplify any calculations if you can
Rearrange the formula if necessary (it is usually easier to substitute first)
Work out the calculation (use a calculator if allowed)

Are there any common formulae to be aware of?

The formula for the equation of a straight line is often used
y = mx + c
Formulae for accelerating objects are often used
v = u + at
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
1 2
s = ut + at
2
The letters mean the following:
t stands for the amount of time something accelerates for (in seconds)
u stands for its initial speed (in m/s) - the speed at the beginning
v stands for its final speed (in m/s) - the speed after t seconds
a stands for its acceleration (in m/s 2 ) during in that time
s stands for the distance covered in t seconds
You do not need to memorise these formulae, but you should know how to substitute
numbers into them

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) Find the value of the expression 2x (x + 3y ) when x = 2 and y = − 4 .

Substitute the numbers given.

Use brackets () around negative numbers that you have substituted so that you don't forget
about them.
It is a good idea to show every step of working to make sure that you are following the order of
operations correctly.

(b) The formula P = 2l + 2w is used to find the perimeter, P, of a rectangle of length l and
width w .
Given that the rectangle has a perimeter of 20 cm and a width of 4 cm, find its length.

Substitute the values you are given into the formula.

Simplify.

Subtract 8 from both sides.

Divide both sides by 2.

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Collecting Like Terms

How do we collect like terms? Your notes
TERMS are separated by + or –
The sign belongs to the coefficient of the term after the symbol
If there is no symbol in front of the first term then this is a positive term
2x - 3 y means +2 x's and -3 y's
“LIKE” terms must have exactly the same LETTERS AND POWERS (the COEFFICIENT can be
different)
Examples of like terms:
2x and 3 x
2x2 and 3 x2
2xy and 3 xy
4(x + y) and 5(x + y)
Examples that are NOT like terms
2x and 3 y (different letters)
2x2 and 3 x4 (different powers)
2xy and 3 xyz (different letters)
4(x + y) and 5(x + y)2 (different powers)
Remember multiplication can be done in any order
xy and yx are like terms
Add the COEFFICIENTS of like terms
If the answer is a positive answer then put "+" in front if there are other terms before it
x - 2y + 5 y = x + 3 y
If the answer is a negative number then put "-" in front
x - 5 y + 2y = x - 3 y

Exam Tip
A “Coefficient” answers the question “how many?”
For example:
the coefficient of x in 2x2 – 5x + 2 is -5
and:
the coefficient of x in ax2 + bx + c is b

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Worked example
Your notes
Simplify x 2 − 3xy + 2x 2 + 4x − 2xy − x + 7 .

Reorder the terms so that the 's are together, as are the 's, 's and the constants.
Make sure that you keep the same sign in front of them when you reorder them.

Add the coefficients of the 'like' terms.

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