Foundation and Higher · algebraic notation

Algebra has its
own shorthand.
Six rules.

read it like
a sentence

the sign you never write —

×

letters side by side are multiplied

the × is hidden

card 1 of 6

ab

ab = a × b

Letters written together are multiplied.

no × sign needed

card 2 of 6

3y

3y = y + y + y

The number in front multiplies the letter. It is called the coefficient.

3 lots of y

card 3 of 6

a²

a² = a × a

A power counts how many times the letter is multiplied by itself.

a² is not 2a

card 4 of 6

a over b

ab = a ÷ b

A fraction line means divide.

x over 2 is half of x

card 5 of 6

Brackets

3(x + 2)

Everything inside the bracket is multiplied by the number outside.

3 lots of (x + 2)

card 6 of 6

Tidy order

x × 5 → 5x

Write the number first, then the letters in alphabetical order.

5x, never x5

algebraic notation —

Side by side

means multiply

Fraction line

means divide

Power

multiplied by itself

1x is just written x.

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