Solving Simple Linear Equations

A lot of students seem to find it difficult to solve equations. The act of solving equations is all about doing the same thing to both sides of the equation and making sure you end up with the letters on one side and the numbers on the other side of the equation.

For Example:

Find the value of y in these equations:

y + 3 = 10
Subtract 3 from both sides
y = 7

y – 3 = 10
Add 3 to both sides
y = 13

3) 4y + 5 = 21
Subtract 5 from both sides
4y = 16
Divide both sides by 4
y = 4

In the first equation we subtracted 3 because it was + 3. So the general rule is to use the inverse operation.

Importance of Algebra

I would be making thousands of pounds if I got a penny every time one of my students asks ‘Miss when will I ever use Algebra in my life?’ or every time an adult says ‘I hated maths in school especially Algebra’.

It’s amazing that people don't believe algebra is used very often, but we use it every day in different applications, sometimes without even knowing it! One fascinating thing about algebra is that a mastery of algebra helps in problem solving and thinking in an abstract way.

Some importance of algebra:

A typical example of when algebra is used in everyday life is when you have a certain amount of money say £15 and you want to buy an item that cost £3 each you would have to solve the equation 3x = 15 to find out how many of the items you can buy with £15.

Algebra is used in calculations involving simple formulas for example the formula used in converting °Celsius temperature into °Fahrenheit.

Banks use algebra to work out interest rates.

Algebraic reasoning and formulas are used in spreadsheet calculations. Spreadsheets are used by almost all businesses.

Shops use algebra to predict the demand of a particular product.

Builders use algebraic calculations during constructions to figure out measurements, angles etc.

Almost every maths problem which involves money, time, distance, area, perimeter or volume of something, comparing prices, rent and similar situations are solved using algebra.

The list goes on... Algebra is a very important branch of mathematics and is often referred to as the language of mathematics!

Please feel free to comment.

Algebra Jokes

My favourite algebra jokes:

Maths Games – Websites

http://www.coolmath.com

http://www.supermathsworld.co.uk

http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime/games/index.shtml

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Games

Introduction to Algebra

Algebra is often referred to as the language of Mathematics.


In Algebra letters are used to represent numbers.

The letters are used to stand for a value when the value is unknown or varies.