Topic/Skill Definition/Tips
Topic: Algebra Example
1. Expression A mathematical statement written using 3x + 2 or 5y2
symbols, numbers or letters,
2. Equation A statement showing that two expressions 2y – 17 = 15
are equal
3. Identity An equation that is true for all values of 2x ≡ x+x
the variables
An identity uses the symbol: ≡
4. Formula Shows the relationship between two or Area of a rectangle = length x width or
more variables A= LxW
5. Simplifying Collect ‘like terms’. 2 x+3 y + 4 x−5 y +3=6 x −2 y +3
Expressions 3 x+ 4−x 2+ 2 x−1=5 x −x2 +3
Be careful with negatives.
x 2 and x are not like terms.
6. x times x The answer is x 2 not 2 x . Squaring is multiplying by itself, not by
2.
7. p × p × p The answer is p3 not 3 p If p=2, then p3=2x2x2=8, not 2x3=6
8. p+ p+ p The answer is 3p not p3 If p=2, then 2+2+2=6, not 23=8
9. Expand To expand a bracket, multiply each term in 3 ( m+7 )=3 x +21
the bracket by the expression outside the
bracket.
10. Factorise The reverse of expanding. 6 x−15=3(2 x−5), where 3 is the
Factorising is writing an expression as a common factor.
product of terms by ‘taking out’ a
common factor.
Mr A. Coleman Glyn School
Topic: Algebra Example
1. Expression A mathematical statement written using 3x + 2 or 5y2
symbols, numbers or letters,
2. Equation A statement showing that two expressions 2y – 17 = 15
are equal
3. Identity An equation that is true for all values of 2x ≡ x+x
the variables
An identity uses the symbol: ≡
4. Formula Shows the relationship between two or Area of a rectangle = length x width or
more variables A= LxW
5. Simplifying Collect ‘like terms’. 2 x+3 y + 4 x−5 y +3=6 x −2 y +3
Expressions 3 x+ 4−x 2+ 2 x−1=5 x −x2 +3
Be careful with negatives.
x 2 and x are not like terms.
6. x times x The answer is x 2 not 2 x . Squaring is multiplying by itself, not by
2.
7. p × p × p The answer is p3 not 3 p If p=2, then p3=2x2x2=8, not 2x3=6
8. p+ p+ p The answer is 3p not p3 If p=2, then 2+2+2=6, not 23=8
9. Expand To expand a bracket, multiply each term in 3 ( m+7 )=3 x +21
the bracket by the expression outside the
bracket.
10. Factorise The reverse of expanding. 6 x−15=3(2 x−5), where 3 is the
Factorising is writing an expression as a common factor.
product of terms by ‘taking out’ a
common factor.
Mr A. Coleman Glyn School
