Know the Vocabulary of Algebra

Lots of students are really good at maths, but the problem they have is working out what the question is asking for!

 

 

This can mean a huge difference in exam marks, so in this activity we will look at the command words and their meaning!

 

Here are some of the most common ones:

 

Solve

This means a solution to the equation is required (ie. they need a value of the unknown).

For example:

Solve   2x + 3 = 7

2x = 4

x = 2      Solved!

 

Simplify

This means make the expression as simple as you can (ie. often means collect the like terms).

For example:

Simplify   2c + 4v + 3c + 5v

= 5c + 9v     Simplified!

 

Expand

This means remove any brackets.

For example:

Expand    2(3x + 5)            ( 2x3x = 6x    and 2 x 5 = 10)

= 6x + 10     Expanded!

 

Factorise

This means insert brackets by taking out common factors.

For example:

Factorise 2w + 6

2(w + 3)       Factorised!

 

Does that all make sense?

Let's practise these command words.