CHAPTER 6: INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA

What is Algebra?

Algebra is the branch of Maths that uses alphabetical letters to find

unknown numbers. These letters are also called variables. The values which
are known in the given expression such as numbers are called constants.
Algebra involves the simple operation of mathematics like addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division involving both constant as well as
variables. For example, x+10 = 0.

Algebra involves the simple operation of mathematics like addition,

subtraction, multiplication, and division involving both constant as well as
variables. Here is a downloadable PDF to explore more.

Algebra sounds like a difficult concept, and you may have heard that it is from
an older sibling or parent. Don't worry-- it's not hard at all. The basic idea is
that we have an equation that is balanced on both sides. Picture a scale in
your head with the same values on each side, and you have a basic
understanding of algebra.

Notice how there is a six on each side, and so they are equal and the scale is
balanced? That is your first equation! You've probably realized too that we can
perform operations on each side of the equation (scale). Writing 4+2 on one
side and 3+3 on the other will keep the scale balanced, right?

Of course, you don't have to use addition. Any of the other arithmetic
operations, like subtraction, multiplication, or division will work, so long as
each side is equal to the other. We will now convert the picture of the scale
into an equation. This is a simple process, and all you have to do is place your
two values on opposite sides of an equals sign.

That's a great equation we have created, but it serves no purpose. It is

obvious to anyone that 4+2=3+3, because 6=6. The equation is useful in
finding the value of a missing number. Say we had a equation like this:
 The empty box indicates a missing number. We know something should
go there, but what? This equation can be solved by adding 3+3 to get 6, and
then recognizing that 4+2=6. The number 2 is the missing number. Now we
have actually accomplished something with our new friend, the equation.

The next step in algebra is learning about a variable. Variables are

defined as numbers that can change value or represent a missing value. The
empty box in our last equation was a variable, but drawing cute little shapes
can get tiresome. Variables are usually represented by letters of the alphabet,
and for whatever reason x, y, and z are the most commonly used variables.
Here's how our last equation would look using a variable:

4+x=3+3

Notice that the 'x' is a variable, NOT the multiplication sign. It is customary in

math to use the * sign to represent multiplication so that variables don't get

confused with operations. Our goal in the equation is to solve for the variable

x, and you might be able to do so using trial and error, but there is an easier

way. Since we have a balanced equation, we can do anything to one side, but

we have to do the same to the other side. For instance, we can add 1 to each

side, resulting in 4 + x + 1 = 3 + 3 + 1. Adding 1 to only one side would

create an inequality, which is not what we want. The best way to solve is by

isolating the variable on one side of the equation, so that we can tell what

value it holds by looking at the other side of the equation, as in x=4. To do

this, we must get rid of the 4. Since we can do anything to both sides of the

equation, why not subtract 4 from each side?

4 – 4 + x = 3 + 3 −4

On the left side of the equation, 4-4 is obviously 0, so we can get rid of that,

and 3 + 3 = 6, minus 4 is 2, so we can write 2 in place of 3 + 3 - 4.

4–4+x=3+3–4
x=6−4
x=2
Remember- the goal is to get the variable alone by doing the same thing to
each side. In an equation like 4x + 4 = 12, you would subtract 4 from each
side to get 4x = 8. Divide each side by four and you've got x = 2:

4x + 4 = 12

4x + 4 – 4 = 12 − 4

4x = 8

4x 8
=
4 4

x=2

Number sentence
A number sentence is a mathematical sentence, made up of numbers and signs. 

The expressions given in  examples indicate equality or inequality.

 Types of Number Sentences
A number sentence can use any of the mathematical operations from addition,
subtraction, multiplication to division. Symbols used in any number sentence vary
depending upon what they indicate.

Addition Sentence

Subtraction Sentence

Multiplication Sentence

Division Sentence

Less than Sentence

Greater than Sentence

Algebraic Sentence

Fraction Sentence

Number sentences can be true or they may not be true.

For example:

10 + 5 = 15. Here we are using the = sign which indicates a balance of both sides.

However, there could also be number sentences which say:

12 + 6 = 9 is not true, but 12 + 6 = 18 is true.

Therefore, a number sentence does not necessarily have to be true. However,

every number sentence gives us information, and based on the information
provided; it is possible to change the statement from false to true.
So, a number sentence contains numbers, mathematical operations, equal to or
inequality sign and a number after the equality or inequality sign. If we remove
any of these components, it will no longer be a number sentence.

For example: 

10 + 8 > 15

However, if we write 10 + 8 it is not enough to understand what is the question to

be solved.

If we write 10 + 8   15. It does not make any sense

If we write +   >, this does not make any sense too.

Number sentence problems can come in the form of word problems, asking the
students to write the equation.

For example:  Mary has 10 strawberries. If Dan gives her 15 strawberries, how

many strawberries does Mary have in total?

Other examples of a problem for number sentence could be as follows:

20 +   ____   = 25

___   –  20 = 80

  Fun fact:

  Number sentences are simply the numerical expression of a word

problem.