Algebraic notation
I can use the particular conventions of algebraic notation and understand that following these aids clear communication.
Algebraic notation
I can use the particular conventions of algebraic notation and understand that following these aids clear communication.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Expressions involving repeated addition can be written more simply.
- Expressions involving multiplication can be written more simply using algebra conventions.
- Expressions involving algebraic terms can be written in index form.
- Some conventions make it more simple to read expressions.
Keywords
Term - A term is single number or letter, or the product of numbers and/or variables. Each term is separated by the operators + and –
Expression - Expressions contain one or more terms, where each term is separated by an operator.
Conventions - Mathematical conventions are notations or processes generally agreed upon.
Common misconception
Pupils may write a3 instead of 3a to represent multiplication of a and 3.
Use algebra tiles to show a x 3 gives 3 lots of a. Highlight that conventions make mathematics clearer to read and avoids miscommunication.
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Algebraic notation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 maths lesson on: Algebraic notation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 maths lessons from the Expressions and equations unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
$$12+-5$$ -
7
$$-12+-5$$ -
-17
$$-12+5$$ -
-7
$$12--5$$ -
17
Exit quiz
6 Questions
$$r+r+r$$ -
$$3r$$
$$r+r+r-r$$ -
$$2r$$
$$r\times4$$ -
$$4r$$
$$r\times r\times r $$ -
$$r^3$$
$$r\times r\times r\times r$$ -
$$r^4$$
$$r+r-r+r+r-r-r$$ -
$$r$$
$$9a-3$$ -
a number multiplied by 9 then 3 is subtracted
$$9(a-3)$$ -
a number minus 3 then multiplied by 9
$$9\over a-3$$ -
9 divided by 3 less than a number
$${9\over a} -3 $$ -
9 divided by a number then 3 is subtracted
$$9a^3$$ -
a number cubed then multiplied by 9
$$(9a)^3$$ -
a number multiplied by 9 then cubed