A short introduction to Algebra with a few questions to answer.

1. Basic Algebra
 By Jayden
We are going to first learn about basic algebraic expressions.
So, lets start from the basics.
2a = 2 x a
3a = 3 x a
4a = 4 x a
But we can’t work that out without finding out what a is equal to.
So lets throw a ‘for instance’ out there:
a=3
Meaning
2a = 6
3a = 9

2. Basic Algebra
 By Jayden
In Algebra, you would always write terms in their simplest form.
So let’s work out how to simplify a algebraic expression.
We will simplify 2a + 3a.
2a + 3a in it’s simplest form is 5a.
2+3=5
2a + 3a = 5a
The reason for this is because adding them together would equal that.
If there was two different terms, such as 5a + 5b…
…then it’s simplest form will be 5a + 5b.
But there’s another rule of Algebra that we need to take note of.
The terms should be written in alphabetical order.
5b + 5a
5a + 5b
A comes before B in the alphabet, so any A terms are written first.

3. Basic Algebra
 By Jayden
Write the following formulae in their simplest forms:
Q1: A + A + A + B + B + B
Q2: C + C + Z + Z
Q3: 3a + 5a
Q4: 3b + 5b + 3a + 5a
Now we’re going to expand on simplifying expressions.
What would happen if we added normal numbers in there?
Take A + A + A + 3
You would simplify it by writing this: 3a + 3
Take A + A + A + 3 + A
You would simplify it by writing this: 4a + 3, as the A’s come before the 3.
What would happen if it was just a normal sum?
Take 3 + 3 + 3
This is not an algebraic expression, so you’d just write the answer: 9.

4. Basic Algebra
 By Jayden
Write the following formulae in their simplest forms:
Q5: A + B + A
Q6: A + B + A + 3
Q7: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
Q8: 2b + 3b – 4b
The eighth question is more complicated than the previous as it adds a subtract symbol in
the sum.
But, it’s pretty easy:
Imagine the question was written like this:
(2b + 3b) – 4b
So first, work out 2b + 3b – which is 5b. Change the question to this:
5b – 4b
See if you can work out the answer from it’s simplest form.

5. Basic Algebra
 By Jayden
Question 9:
If Dom’s age is A, and Sarah’s age is 10 (five
more than Dom’s), what is A?
Question 10:
If A equals 30, work out this sum:
A+A+A=