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Understand Simple Algebraic Substitution

In this worksheet, students will substitute numbers for letters and work out the value of simple expressions with one variable.

'Understand Simple Algebraic Substitution' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Year:  Year 7 Maths worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Algebra

Curriculum subtopic:   Substitute Numerical Values for Formulae/Expressions

Popular topics:   Algebra worksheets, Year 7 Algebra worksheets

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

When we substitute a number for a letter, we simply replace the letter with the number.

However, we must remember that 4b means 4 x b.

 

Example

Work out the value of the following expression when a = 4

3a - 7

 

Answer

3a - 7

3a just means 3 x a , so we have

3 x a - 7

 

Change the letter (a) into the number we've been given (4)

3 x 4 - 7

 

Now multiply first - remember the order of BIDMAS (or BODMAS)

12 - 7 = 5

 

Did that make sense?

The key to substitution in algebra is to work slowly, one step at a time.

 

Let's get started on some questions.

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