6 Basic Algebra

Tips for Students

Division can be expressed
in fraction.

6 Basic

Algebra

Algebra Symbol
Unknown

1. We can use symbols to represent unknowns and form an algebraic expression.

2. In algebraic expressions, we can omit the notation . For example:

4 p 4p

1. Express the sum of 20 and p is divided by q in an algebraic expression.

20 p q

Solution:
The sum of 20 and p can be expressed as: 20 p
20 p 20 p
20 p
The expression is q
.
20 p
q

Express subtract half of p from 100 in algebraic expression.

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100 p
p
Half of p can be expressed as:
2
p
The expression is 100 .
2

2. Consider the prices of the following items.

What is the total cost of buying 2 robots and 1 doll?

Solution:
Total cost
$(2 s 49)
$(2 s 49)
Number of passengers 6 (45 + t)
6( 45 t )
2
A coach can take 45 passengers. A bus can take t passengers more. How many passengers can 6
buses take?
45 t 6

3. If u 15, find the values of the following expressions. u 15

u 3
(a) 5(u 9) (b)
4

Solution:
(a) 5(u 9) 5(15 9)
5 24 (a) 3(y 4) 3(20 4)
3 16
120
48

u 3 15 3
4y 1 4 20 1
4 4 (b)
(b) 3 3
12
80 1
4
3
3
81

3
27
3

If y 20, find the values of the following expressions. y 20

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 6 Basic Algebra

4y 1
(a) 3(y 4) (b)
3

1. Express the following statements in algebraic expressions.

(a) The sum of x and 10. x 10
(b) The product of y and 6. y 6
(c) The difference between z and 5, where z > 5. z 5 z > 5
(d) Divide 20 by z. 20 z
(a) x + 10
(b) 6y
(c) z5
20
(d)
z

2. Express the following statements in algebraic expressions.

(a) 5 times s. 5 s
(b) Half of t. t
(c) 6 times the sum of m and 5. 6 m 5
(d) Divide n by the result of m minus 6. n m 6
(a) 5s
t
(b)
2
(c) 6(m + 5)
n
(d)
m6

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3. If p 12, find the values of the following expressions. p 12

(a) p 18 (b) p 7
p + 18 12 + 18 p 7 12 7
30 5

p
(c) 7p (d)
3
7p 7 12 p 12

84 3 3
4

4. It is given that y x 15. Complete the following table.

y x 15
x 6 9 15 26
y 21 24 30 41

5. It is given that y 4x 3. Complete the following table.

y 4x 3
x 0 3 6 10
y 3 15 27 43

6. Express the weight of the robot in x.

x

Weight of the robot ( x 2) kg

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7. Express the weight of a marble in x.

x

x
Weight of the marble 2 kg

8. If y 15, find the values of the following expressions.

y 15
y 13
(a) 4(y 7) (b)
4
4(y 7) 4(15 7)
y 13 15 13
48
4 4
32
28

4
7

9. If m 18, find the values of the following expressions.

m 18
2m 6
(a) 3m 17 (b)
5
3m + 17 3(18) + 17
2m 6 2(18) 6
71
5 5
30

5
6

10. If m 12, find the values of the following expressions.

m 12
3m 12
(a) 8m 60 (b)
4
8m 60 8(12) 60 3m 12 3(12) 12
96 60
4 4
36 48

4
12

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11. Consider the figure. Fill in the blanks and give the answers in algebraic expressions.

3x
(a) The total weight of 3 apples is ________ g.
3x
3 ________ g
x + 350
(b) The total weight of an apple and an orange is ________ g.
x + 350
1 1 ________ g
2x + 350
(c) The total weight of 2 apples and an orange is ________ g.
2x + 350
2 1 ________ g

12. Emily is m years old now. m

(a) Find her age 2 years ago. 2
(b) Find her age 3 years later. 3
(a) m2
(b) m+3

13. Emily has $t. Fanny has $20 less than 3 times that of Emily. Find the amount that Fanny has.
$t 3 $20

Amount that Fanny has $(3 t 20)

20)
$(3t

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14. m boys and 10 girls are divided into 8 groups equally. How many children are there in each
group?
m 10 8
m 10
Number of children in each group 8

15. The cost of a carton of milk is $p. If each carton of milk is reduced by $2, how much should
be paid for 5 cartons of milk?
$p $2 5
Total cost $(p 2) 5
$5( p 2)

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