# Algebraic Notation

## Simplify the expressions using the normal conventions of algebra.

##### Collecting Like TermsLevel 1Level 2FactorisingDescriptionHelpMore Algebra

Can you write the following expressions in their simplest forms? Use the buttons provided to insert the squared and cubed symbols if required.

 $$a + a + a + a$$ $$b + b − b$$ $$b + b + c$$ $$c + d + c − d$$ $$d + e$$ $$5e + 3f + 3e$$ $$f \times g \times h$$ $$2g \times 3h$$ $$j \times j \times j$$ $$k \times k + m \times m$$ $$m \times m \times n$$ $$p \times 2p \times 3p$$
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This is Algebraic Notation level 1. You can also try:
Collecting Like Terms Level 2 Factorising

## Instructions

Try your best to answer the questions above. Type your answers into the boxes provided leaving no spaces. As you work through the exercise regularly click the "check" button. If you have any wrong answers, do your best to do corrections but if there is anything you don't understand, please ask your teacher for help.

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#### Vinculum

This activity comprises of five challenges each one requiring you to type in one more fraction than the previous challenge and each starting with a different fraction. The starting fractions are one tenth, one quarter, one third, one half and four sevenths.

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## Go Maths

Learning and understanding Mathematics, at every level, requires learner engagement. Mathematics is not a spectator sport. Sometimes traditional teaching fails to actively involve students. One way to address the problem is through the use of interactive activities and this web site provides many of those. The Go Maths page is an alphabetical list of free activities designed for students in Secondary/High school.

## Maths Map

Are you looking for something specific? An exercise to supplement the topic you are studying at school at the moment perhaps. Navigate using our Maths Map to find exercises, puzzles and Maths lesson starters grouped by topic.

## Teachers

If you found this activity useful don't forget to record it in your scheme of work or learning management system. The short URL, ready to be copied and pasted, is as follows:

Quasimodo4711@freenet.de, Germany

Sunday, December 20, 2015

"Don't know what key should be used for the multiplication sign with a German keyboard?"

Transum,

Monday, December 21, 2015

"Hello Quasimodo4711 in Germany. None of the answers to this exercise require a multiplication sign. When two or more terms are multiplied together they can be shown without a sign. For example 6 times b is 6b and 5 times x times y times y is 5xy2."

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.

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© Transum Mathematics :: This activity can be found online at:
www.transum.org/software/SW/Starter_of_the_day/Students/Algebraic_Notation.asp?

## Description of Levels

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Collecting Like Terms - This is where you would start. It is important to know which terms are 'like' and can be combined into one term.

Level 1 - Simplify simple expressions by writing them in a more compact form

Level 2 - Simplify some slightly more difficult expressions

Factorising - The next step is to understand how expressions can be simplified by factorising them.

More on this topic including many more exercises, lesson Starters, visual aids and investigations.

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## Curriculum Reference

See the National Curriculum page for links to related online activities and resources.

## Video

The video above is from MathsWatch

## Example

In algebra it is common to use:

• ab in place of a × b
• 3a in place of a + a + a and 3 × a
• a² in place of a × a
• a³ in place of a × a × a
• a²b in place of a × a × b

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