Year 7 - Maths
Like terms
Expressions and equations
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about generalisation and formal algebraic manipulation techniques such as substitution, collecting like terms and factorising.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify like terms in an expression, generalising an understanding of unitising (equality).
Key Notes
- Bar models can be used to represent an expression.
- Each term can be unitised just like numbers when using place value.
- Like terms can be identified and described.
- Coefficients help us describe terms.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Unitising: Unitising means treating groups that contain, or represent, the same numbers of things as 'ones' or 'units'.
- Like terms: Like terms are terms that have the same set of variables and corresponding exponents.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 2y and 3y are not like terms because they have different coefficients.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Bar models can be used to represent an expression. Each term can be unitised just like numbers when using place value.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Unitising'
Unitising means treating groups that contain, or represent, the same numbers of things as 'ones' or 'units'. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: 2y and 3y are not like terms because they have different coefficients. Correction: Think of 'Unitising'. 3cm and 8cm. What are the units? 8mg and 10mg. What are the units? 2y and 3y. What are we 'unitising' here?
More Lessons In This Unit
- Algebraic notation Study Guide
- Algebraic terminology Study Guide
- Checking understanding of expressions and equations Study Guide
- Factorising expressions Study Guide
- Generalised algebraic statements Study Guide
- Highest common factor with algebraic terms Study Guide
- Multiplying an expression by a constant Study Guide
- Multiplying an expression by a term Study Guide
- Multiplying and simplifying with multiple expressions Study Guide
- Problem solving with expressions and equations Study Guide
- Representing a generalised number Study Guide
- Representing an unknown or variable Study Guide
- Securing understanding of expressions and equations Study Guide
- Simplifying before multiplying with multiple expressions Study Guide
- Simplifying by collecting like terms Study Guide
- Substituting particular values Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 7 Maths guide library.