Topic summary · Foundation · CIE Core

Basic Algebra summary

Basic algebra is about collecting like terms, expanding brackets carefully, and simplifying expressions before solving.

Open Learning Sheet — Basic Algebra Download Basic Algebra answers PDF

Files: foundation-6 Basic Algebra handout.pdf · foundation-6 Basic Algebra handout answers.pdf · free public downloads · diagrams in the PDFs

Key learning points

Like terms share the same letter powers: $3x+5x=8x$ , but $3x+5x^2$ cannot combine.
Expand: $a(b+c)=ab+ac$ ; watch double negatives.
Substitute values only after simplifying when the question allows.

Worked example 1 — Collect like terms

Simplify $3a+5a-2a$ .

Working

6a

Add/subtract coefficients.

Worked example 2 — Expand and simplify

Expand $3(x-2)+4$ .

Working

3x-2

Distribute, then collect.

Worked example 3 — Factorise

Factorise $6x+9$ .

Working

3(2x+3)

Take out the HCF.

Scaffolded Learning Sheet and answers (PDFs)

This page is a short, searchable overview for revision and search engines. Use the Scaffolded Learning Sheet first, then the Answers PDF for a full written solution. The printable PDFs remain the main classroom resource.

Open Learning Sheet Answers PDF

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