Algebraic Notation & Vocabulary (Cambridge O Level Maths)

What is algebraic notation?

• When writing expressions in algebra (as opposed to sums in numbers) there are conventions and symbols that are used that take on a particular meaning
• This is what we mean by algebraic notation
• In number work, for adding and subtracting, we use + and –
• In algebra, we still do!
• Examples:
  a + b
  c + d – e
• However for multiplication, no symbol is used, and for division, fractions are used
• Examples:
  ab (means a × b)
   (means a ÷ b)
  3ab (means 3 × a × b)
• We can have combinations of these of course
• Examples:
   (means a×b + c÷3)
  The order of operations still apply in algebra so a×b and c÷d would happen before the addition
• Powers (indices) and roots are used the same way as with numbers
• Examples:
  a² means a × a
  4a² means 4 × a²
  With the order of operations, a² will happen before multiplying by 4
• Brackets also work in the same way as with numbers
• Examples
  means  but with brackets taking priority, when known,  would be worked out first, then we would multiply by 3
  means , again with the brackets worked out first

How will I need to use algebraic notation?

• Algebraic expressions are used in many parts of the course
  • You need to be able to understand their meaning and work with them
    • e.g. for rearranging a formula
  • You may be given a situation in words that you then have to write in algebra
    • Which could lead to an equation you may then have to solve

You need to know the meanings of the word term and factor, as they are the basic building blocks in algebra.

You need to know the differences between an expression, equation, formula and inequality in order to fully understand algebra and proofs. You may be asked to identify which is which.

What is a term?

• A term is either…
• …a letter (variable) on its own, e.g. x
• ..a number on its own, e.g. 20
• …a number multiplied by a letter, e.g. 5x
• The number in front of a letter is called a coefficient
• The coefficient of x in the term 6x is 6
• The coefficient of y in the term -5y is -5
• Terms that are just numbers (with no letters) are called constants
• Terms can include powers and more than one letter
• E.g. 6xy, 4x², ab³c, …

What is a factor?

• A factor is any number or letter that divides a term exactly (with no remainder)
• E.g. all the factors of 4xy are 1, 2, 4, x, 2x, 4x, y, 2y, 4y, xy, 2xy and 4xy
• A term can be separated into factors that multiply together to give that term
• E.g. two factors of 5x are 5 and x
• To factorise means to write something as a multiplication of factors
• A common factor is one that divides both terms
  • The highest (or greatest) common factor is 2x
• E.g. the common factors of 6xy and 4x are 2, x and 2x

What is an expression?

• An expression is an algebraic statement that does not have an equals sign
• There is nothing to solve
• An expression is made by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing terms
• E.g. 2x + 5y, b² – 2cd, , …
• A single term can be an expression
• Expressions can be simplified (made easier)
• E.g. x + x + x  simplifies to 3x

What is an equation?

• An equation is an algebraic statement with an equals sign between a left-hand side and a right-hand side
• Both sides are equal in value
• E.g. if 2x has the same value as 10, then 2x = 10
• An equation can be solved by finding the missing values of the letters that make the left-hand side equal to the right-hand side
  • x = 5 is called the solution
• E.g. the equation 2x = 10 is solved by x = 5

What is a formula?

• A formula is a worded rule, definition or relationship between different quantities, written in shorthand using letters
  • The formula is w = mg
• E.g. weight, w, is mass, m, multiplied by gravitational acceleration, g
• It is common to substitute numbers into a formula, but a formula on its own cannot be solved
• To turn a formula into an equation, more information is needed
• E.g. In the formula w = mg, if w = 50 and m = 5 then the equation 50 = 5g can be formed

What is an inequality?

• An inequality compares a left-hand side to a right-hand side and states which one is bigger
• x > y means x is greater than y
• x ≥ y means x is greater than, or equal to, y
• x < y means x is less than y
• x ≤ y means x is less than, or equal to, y
• E.g. x ≥ 8 means x can take any value that is greater than, or equal to, 8
• This is the same as saying “8 or more”, or "at least 8"
• The solutions of inequalities are usually, themselves, inequalities
• x + 10 < 15 solves to give x < 5, so x is any number less than 5