KS3 Mathematics

A1 Algebraic
expressions
1 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorizing expressions
A1.6 Substitution
2 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using symbols for unknowns

Look at this problem:

+ 9 = 17
The symbol

stands for an unknown number.

We can work out the value of

.
=8

because
3 of 60

8 + 9 = 17
Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using symbols for unknowns

Look at this problem:

The symbols
In this example,
For example,
and
4 of 60

and
and
12 7 = 5

=5

stand for unknown numbers.

can have many values.
or

3.2 1.8 = 5

are called variables because their value can vary.

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using letter symbols for unknowns

In algebra, we use letter symbols to stand for numbers.
These letters are called unknowns or variables.
Sometimes we can work out the value of the letters and
sometimes we cant.
For example,
We can write an unknown number with 3 added on to it as
n+3
This is an example of an algebraic expression.

5 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing an expression
Suppose Jon has a packet of biscuits and he
doesnt know how many biscuits it contains.
He can call the number of biscuits in the full
packet, b.
If he opens the packet and eats 4 biscuits, he can write an
expression for the number of biscuits remaining in the
packet as:
b4

6 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing an equation
Jon counts the number of biscuits in the packet
after he has eaten 4 of them. There are 22.
He can write this as an equation:
b 4 = 22
We can work out the value of the letter b.
b = 26
That means that there were 26 biscuits in the full packet.

7 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing expressions
When we write expressions in algebra we dont usually use
the multiplication symbol .
For example,
5 n or n 5 is written as 5n.
The number must be written before the letter.
When we multiply a letter symbol by 1, we dont have to
write the 1.
For example,
1 n or n 1 is written as n.

8 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing expressions
When we write expressions in algebra we dont usually use
the division symbol . Instead we use a dividing line as in
fraction notation.
For example,
n
n 3 is written as
3
When we multiply a letter symbol by itself, we use index
notation.
n squared

For example,
n n is written as n2.

9 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing expressions
Here are some examples of algebraic expressions:
n+7

a number n plus 7

5n

5 minus a number n

2n

2 lots of the number n or 2 n

6
n

6 divided by a number n

4n + 5

4 lots of a number n plus 5

n3

a number n multiplied by itself twice or

nnn

3 (n + 4)
or 3(n + 4)

a number n plus 4 and then times 3.

10 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Writing expressions
Miss Green is holding n number
of cubes in her hand:

Write an expression for the number of cubes in her hand if:

She takes 3 cubes away.
n3
She doubles the number of
cubes she is holding.
or
2n
2n
11 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Equivalent expression match

12 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Identities
When two expressions are equivalent we can link them with
the sign.
x + x + x is
identically
For example,
equal to 3x
x + x + x 3x
This is called an identity.
In an identity, the expressions on each side of the equation
are equal for all values of the unknown.
The expressions are said to be identically equal.

13 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorizing expressions
A1.6 Substitution
14 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Like terms
An algebraic expression is made up of terms and operators
such as +, , , and ( ).
A term is made up of numbers and letter symbols but not
operators.
For example,
3a + 4b a + 5 is an expression.
3a, 4b, a and 5 are terms in the expression.
3a and a are called like terms because they both contain a
number and the letter symbol a.

15 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Collecting together like terms

Remember, in algebra letters stand for numbers, so we
can use the same rules as we use for arithmetic.
In arithmetic,
5+5+5+5=45
In algebra,
a + a + a + a = 4a
The as are like terms.
We collect together like terms to simplify the expression.

16 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Collecting together like terms

Remember, in algebra letters stand for numbers, so we
can use the same rules as we use for arithmetic.
In arithmetic,
(7 4) + (3 4) = 10 4
In algebra,
7 b + 3 b = 10 b
or

7b + 3b = 10b

7b, 3b and 10b are like terms.

They all contain a number and the letter b.

17 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Collecting together like terms

Remember, in algebra letters stand for numbers, so we
can use the same rules as we use for arithmetic.
In arithmetic,
2 + (6 2) (3 2) = 4 2
In algebra,
x + 6x 3x = 4x
x, 6x, 3x and 4x are like terms.
They all contain a number and the letter x.

18 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Collecting together like terms

When we add or subtract like terms in an expression we
say we are simplifying an expression by collecting
together like terms.
An expression can contain different like terms.
For example,
3a + 2b + 4a + 6b = 3a + 4a + 2b + 6b
= 7a + 8b
This expression cannot be simplified any further.

19 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Collecting together like terms

Simplify these expressions by collecting together like terms.
1) a + a + a + a + a = 5a
2) 5b 4b = b
3) 4c + 3d + 3 2c + 6 d = 4c 2c + 3d d + 3 + 6
= 2c + 2d + 9
4) 4n + n2 3n = 4n 3n + n2 = n + n2
5) 4r + 6s t

20 of 60

Cannot be simplified

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic perimeters
Remember, to find the perimeter of a shape we add
together the length of each of its sides.
Write an algebraic expression for the perimeter of the
following shapes:
2a
3b

Perimeter = 2a + 3b + 2a + 3b
= 4a + 6b

5x
4y

x
5x

21 of 60

Perimeter = 4y + 5x + x + 5x
= 4y + 11x

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic pyramids

22 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic magic square

23 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorising expressions
A1.6 Substitution
24 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Multiplying terms together

In algebra we usually leave out the multiplication sign .
Any numbers must be written at the front and all letters should
be written in alphabetical order.
For example,
4 a = 4a
1b=b

We dont need to write a 1 in front of the letter.

b 5 = 5b

We dont write b5.

3 d c = 3cd

We write letters in alphabetical order.

6 e e = 6e2

25 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using index notation

Simplify:
x + x + x + x + x = 5x
Simplify:

x to the power of 5

x x x x x = x5
This is called index notation.
Similarly,
x x = x2
x x x = x3
x x x x = x4
26 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using index notation

We can use index notation to simplify expressions.
For example,
3p 2p = 3 p 2 p = 6p2
q2 q3 = q q q q q = q5
3r r2 = 3 r r r = 3r3
2t 2t = (2t)2

27 of 60

or

4t2

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Grid method for multiplying numbers

28 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Brackets
Look at this algebraic expression:
4(a + b)
What do do think it means?
Remember, in algebra we do not write the multiplication sign, .
This expression actually means:
4 (a + b)

or

(a + b) + (a + b) + (a + b) + (a + b)
=a+b+a+b+a+b+a+b
= 4a + 4b
29 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Using the grid method to expand brackets

30 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Expanding brackets then simplifying

Sometimes we need to multiply out brackets and then simplify.
For example,

3x + 2(5 x)

We need to multiply the bracket by 2 and collect together

like terms.
3x + 10 2x
= 3x 2x + 10
= x + 10

31 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Expanding brackets then simplifying

Simplify
4 (5n 3)
We need to multiply the bracket by 1 and collect together
like terms.
4 5n + 3
= 4 + 3 5n
= 7 5n

32 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Expanding brackets then simplifying

Simplify
2(3n 4) + 3(3n + 5)
We need to multiply out both brackets and collect together
like terms.
6n 8 + 9n + 15
= 6n + 9n 8 + 15
= 15n + 7

33 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Expanding brackets then simplifying

Simplify
5(3a + 2b) 2(2a + 5b)
We need to multiply out both brackets and collect together
like terms.
15a + 10b 4a 10b
= 15a 4a + 10b 10b
= 11a

34 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic multiplication square

35 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Pelmanism: Equivalent expressions

36 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic areas

37 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorising expressions
A1.6 Substitution
38 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Dividing terms
Remember, in algebra we do not usually use the division
sign, .
Instead we write the number or term we are dividing by
underneath like a fraction.
For example,
(a + b) c

39 of 60

is written as

a+b
c

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Dividing terms
Like a fraction, we can often simplify expressions by
cancelling.
For example,
2
6p
6p2 3p =
3p

3
n
n3 n2 = 2
n

nnn
nn
1

=n

40 of 60

6pp
3p
1

= 2p

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic areas

41 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Hexagon Puzzle

42 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorizing expressions
A1.6 Substitution
43 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Factorizing expressions
Some expressions can be simplified by dividing each term by
a common factor and writing the expression using brackets.
For example, in the expression
5x + 10
the terms 5x and 10 have a common factor, 5.
We can write the 5 outside of a set of brackets and mentally
divide 5x + 10 by 5.
(5x + 10) 5 = x + 2
This is written inside the bracket.
5(x + 2)
44 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Factorizing expressions
Writing 5x + 10 as 5(x + 2) is called factorizing the
expression.
Factorize 6a + 8

Factorize 12 9n

The highest common

factor of 6a and 8 is 2.

The highest common

factor of 12 and 9n is 3.

(6a + 8) 2 = 3a + 4

(12 9n) 3 = 4 3n

6a + 8 = 2(3a + 4)

12 9n = 3(4 3n)

45 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Factorizing expressions
Writing 5x + 10 as 5(x + 2) is called factorizing the
expression.
Factorize 3x + x2

Factorize 2p + 6p2 4p3

The highest common

factor of 3x and x2 is x.

The highest common factor

of 2p, 6p2 and 4p3 is 2p.

(3x + x ) x = 3 + x

(2p + 6p2 4p3) 2p

= 1 + 3p 2p2
3x + x2 = x(3 + x)

2p + 6p2 4p3
= 2p(1 + 3p 2p2)

46 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Algebraic multiplication square

47 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Pelmanism: Equivalent expressions

48 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Contents

A1 Algebraic expressions
A1.1 Writing expressions
A1.2 Collecting like terms
A1.3 Multiplying terms
A1.4 Dividing terms
A1.5 Factorising expressions
A1.6 Substitution
49 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Work it out!

4 + 3 0.6
43
7
8
5
===133
17
5.8
28
19
50 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Work it out!

7 0.4
22
3
6
9
2
====10.5
31.5
1.4
21
77
51 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Work it out!

0.2
12
4
3 +6
9
===6.04
150
15
22
87
52 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Work it out!

2( 13
3.6
18
69
7 + 8)
===23.2
154
10
30
52
53 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution

What does
substitution
mean?

In algebra, when we replace letters in an expression or

equation with numbers we call it substitution.

54 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution
How can 4 + 3

be written as an algebraic expression?

Using n for the variable we can write this as 4 + 3n

We can evaluate the expression 4 + 3n by substituting
different values for n.
When n = 5

4 + 3n = 4 + 3 5
= 4 + 15
= 19

When n = 11

4 + 3n = 4 + 3 11
= 4 + 33
= 37

55 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution
7

can be written as

7n
2

2
7n
We can evaluate the expression
by substituting different
2
values for n.
When n = 4

7n
= 742
2
= 28 2
= 14

When n = 1.1

7n
= 7 1.1 2
2
= 7.7 2
= 3.85

56 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution
2

+6

can be written as

n2 + 6

We can evaluate the expression n2 + 6 by substituting

different values for n.
When n = 4

n2 + 6 = 42 + 6
= 16 + 6
= 22

When n = 0.6

n2 + 7 = 0.62 + 6
= 0.36 + 6
= 6.36

57 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution
2(

+ 8)

can be written as

2(n + 8)

We can evaluate the expression 2(n + 8) by substituting

different values for n.
When n = 6

2(n + 8) = 2 (6 + 8)
= 2 14
= 28

When n = 13

2(n + 8) = 2 (13 + 8)
= 2 21
= 41

58 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Substitution exercise
Here are five expressions.
1) a + b + c = 5 + 2 + 1 = 6
2) 3a + 2c = 3 5 + 2 1 = 15 + 2 = 13
3) a(b + c) = 5 (2 + 1) = 5 1 = 5
4) abc = 5 2 1= 10 1 = 10
22 1
b2 c
5)
=
=55=1
a
5
Evaluate these expressions when a = 5, b = 2 and c = 1
59 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004

Noughts and crosses - substitution

60 of 60

Boardworks Ltd 2004