top of page
This topic covers the conventions of algebraic notation — writing terms, coefficients and powers correctly, collecting like terms and using letters for numbers: the language of algebra. It's examined right across GCSE and iGCSE Maths. Learn it free on eClassroom through guided worked examples and instantly-marked exam-style questions.
How you do it
Write products without the multiplication sign and put the number before the letter, so 3a not a3. Write division as a fraction. Powers apply only to what they touch, so 3a squared means 3 times a squared, not the whole thing squared.
Before you start
The prerequisite is the four operations. Foundation and Higher tier students all cover it. You will lean on this again for every other algebra topic. Filed under Algebra.
What you learn
a² means two a’s multiplied, a³ means three — it is not a × 2 or a × 3. In the term 4x, the number 4 is the coefficient and x is the variable. The course works through writing algebra, powers and division and terms, coefficients and like terms. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Algebraic Notation is a Algebra topic in the GCSE syllabus, covered here at Foundation tier. You work through 3 concepts and 2 worked examples, testing yourself at 3 points. Students often pair it with Algebraic Proof, Completing the Square and Differentiation. You can drill this strand further on the Algebra revision engine, with your accuracy saved to your skill tree.
Still need help with a topic?
bottom of page