18 Chapter 1 Algebraic techniques 2 and indices 1C

Enrichment: Missing expressions

18 a Fill in the missing expressions to make all eight equations true.

5a + + 4a = 10a + 3
+ + + +
2b + 4+a + =
+ + + +
+ + −3a = 1
= = = =
+ 3a + 8 + = 10a + 2b + 8

b Design your own ‘missing values’ puzzle like the one above. It should only have one
possible solution.

ISBN: 9781107671812 © David Greenwood et al. 2014 Cambridge University Press

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 Number and Algebra 19

Multiplying and dividing terms R EV IS ION

Recall that a term written as 4ab is shorthand for 4 × a × b. Observing this helps to see how we can
multiply terms.

4 ab × 3c
3c = 4 a b 3 c
= 4 ×3×a×b ×c
= 12 abc

Division is written as a fraction so 12 ab means (12ab) ÷ (9ad). To simplify a division we look for
common factors: 9 ad

4
12 × a × b 4 b a ÷ a = 1 for any value of a except 0
3
= a
9 × a × d 3d so cancels to 1.
a

Let’s start: Multiple ways

Multiplying 4a × 6b × c gives you 24abc.
• In how many ways can positive integers fill the blanks in a× b× c = 24abc?
• In how many other ways can you multiply three terms to get 24abc? For example, 12ab × 2 × c. You
should assume the coefficients are all integers.

Key ideas
■ 12abc means 12 × a × b × c.
■ When multiplying, the order is not important: 2 × a × 4 × b = 2 × 4 × a × b.
■ x2 means x × x and x3 means x × x × x.
■ When dividing, cancel any common factors.
3
15 x y 3x
For example: =
4
20 y z 4z

ISBN: 9781107671812 © David Greenwood et al. 2014 Cambridge University Press

Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party