Algebra

Victorian Curriculum

• Duration: 3 weeks
• Introduce the concept of variables as a way of representing numbers using letters (VCMNA251)
• Create algebraic expressions and evaluate them by substituting a given value for each variable(VCMNA252)
• Extend and apply the laws and properties of arithmetic to algebraic terms and expressions (VCMNA253)
• Extend and apply the distributive law to the expansion of algebraic expressions (VCMNA279)
• Factorise algebraic expressions by identifying numerical factors (VCMNA280)

Learning Goals

By the end of the course, we will learn to:

• Use the algebraic language: pronumeral, variable, term, coefficient, expression, constant,
• Know and use the operatic terms with algebra: sum, difference, product quotient, square
• Represent worded situations using algebra
• Use substitution to evaluate an expression
• Identify equivalent expressions
• Perform addition and subtraction of algebraic expressions by identifying like terms
• Perform multiplication (division using reciprocal) of algebraic terms
• Simplify algebraic fractions using cancellation by factors (ext)
• Perform operations with algebraic fractions (ext)
• Expand expressions and terms with brackets
• Factorising expressions using a common factor, including algebraic factors
• Apply algebra to worded situations

Success Criteria

Students have:

• completed calculations to simplify algebraic expressions; including factorising, 'expanding', and 'collecting like-terms

Vocabulary

pronumeral, variable, unknown, like-terms, expression, simplify, factorise, expand, brackets, collecting like-terms, constant, coefficient, substitute, evaluate

Maths videosOther Resources

• Algebra @ transum