MA09-01 Maths Coming soon
What Algebraic Notation Means
This lesson is coming soon.
In this lesson
Read and write standard algebraic notation - a letter standing for an unknown or variable, ab for a x b, 3y for y+y+y, a^2/a^3 for repeated multiplication, a/b for a divided by b, and brackets used to group - and produce a final answer with no stray multiplication signs left in.
What it covers
- A letter stands for an unknown number or a variable
- Ab means a x b (no multiplication sign written)
- 3y means y+y+y, equivalently 3 x y
- A^2 means a x a, a^3 means a x a x a
- A/b means a divided by b, written as a fraction
- Fractional coefficients are used instead of decimals where possible
- Brackets are used to group terms, e.g. 3(x+2)
- A simplified algebraic answer has no stray multiplication signs, extra brackets or extra plus signs left in it
Key words
For: Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1, Cambridge IGCSE 0580, AQA GCSE 8300, Edexcel GCSE 1MA1, Eduqas GCSE C300
On the specification
| Board | Spec | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F2.1A | Understand that symbols may be used to represent numbers in equations or variables in expressions and formulae |
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F2.1B | Understand that algebraic expressions follow the generalised rules of arithmetic |
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F2.3A | Understand that a letter may represent an unknown number or a variable |
| Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 | F2.3B | Use correct notational conventions for algebraic expressions and formulae |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | C2.1 | Know that letters can be used to represent generalised numbers. |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | E2.1 | Know that letters can be used to represent generalised numbers. |
| AQA GCSE 8300 | A1 | Notation, vocabulary and manipulation |
| Edexcel GCSE 1MA1 | A1 | Notation, vocabulary and manipulation |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | FA1 | Use and interpret algebraic notation, including: ab in place of a × b; 3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y; a² in place of a × a, a³ in place of a × a × a, a²b in place of a × a × b; a/b in place of a ÷ b; coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals; brackets |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | HA1 | Use and interpret algebraic notation, including: ab in place of a × b; 3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y; a² in place of a × a, a³ in place of a × a × a, a²b in place of a × a × b; a/b in place of a ÷ b; coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals; brackets |
For teachers
This GCSE Maths lesson teaches what algebraic notation means. By the end, students should be able to read and write standard algebraic notation - a letter standing for an unknown or variable, ab for a x b, 3y for y+y+y, a^2/a^3 for repeated multiplication, a/b for a divided by b, and brackets used to group - and produce a final answer with no stray multiplication signs left in. It works through three worked examples and the mistakes examiners report.