GCSE Maths Algebra Basics: lesson and practice questions

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

• Use algebraic notation correctly and know the words expression, equation, formula, identity, term, coefficient and factor
• Simplify expressions by collecting like terms, and multiply and divide algebraic terms using the laws of indices
• Expand single brackets, double brackets (and three brackets at Higher tier)
• Factorise common factors, quadratics of the form x² + bx + c and the difference of two squares (and ax² + bx + c at Higher tier)
• Tell the difference between an equation and an identity, show that expressions are equivalent and construct algebraic proofs

You should already know

• Negative numbers and BIDMAS (Chapter 1)
• Factors, HCF and index laws with numbers (Chapter 2)
• Fractions and simplifying them (Chapter 3)

Where this leads

• Substitution and rearranging formulae (Chapter 8)
• Solving linear equations (Chapter 9)
• Solving quadratic equations by factorising (Chapter 14)