2 Key words
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Algebra
Making sense of algebra
Variable Equation Formula Substitution Expression Term Power Index Coefficient Exponent Base Reciprocal
In this chapter you will learn how to:
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use letters to represent numbers write expressions to represent mathematical information substitute letters with numbers to find the value of an expression add and subtract like terms to simplify expressions
Once you know the basic rules, algebra is very easy and very useful.
multiply and divide to simplify expressions expand expressions by removing grouping symbols
You can think of algebra as the language of mathematics. Algebra uses letters and other symbols to write mathematical information in shorter ways.
use index notation in algebra
When you learn a language, you have to learn the rules and structures of the language. The language of algebra also has rules and structures. Once you know these, you can ‘speak’ the language of algebra and mathematics students all over the world will understand you.
learn and apply the laws of indices to simplify expressions. work with fractional indices.
Unit 1: Algebra
At school, and in the real world, you will use algebra in many ways. For example, you will use it to make sense of formulae and spreadsheets and you may use algebra to solve problems to do with money, building, science, agriculture, engineering, construction, economics and more.