Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 1 of 10

1. Algebra Basics: Terms, Coefficients, Like Terms

Key idea: Algebra uses letters to stand for numbers. A term is a part of an expression
separated by + or -. In 5x + 3, the term 5x has coefficient 5, and 3 is a constant.
- Like terms have the same variable part, such as 4x and -7x, or 2a^2 and 9a^2.
- Unlike terms cannot be collected: 3x and 3x^2 are different because the powers are
different.
Method: collect like terms first, then simplify signs carefully.
Example: 6x + 4 - 2x + 9 = 4x + 13.
Example: 3a^2 + 5a - a^2 + 2a = 2a^2 + 7a.
Mistake to avoid: Do not combine x and x^2. They represent different types of terms.
Practice: Simplify 8m - 3 + 2m + 11 - 5m. Answer: 5m + 8.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 2 of 10

2. Expanding Brackets
Key idea: Expanding means multiplying everything inside the bracket by the factor outside.
This uses the distributive law: a(b + c) = ab + ac.
Method:
1. Multiply the outside number or term by each term inside.
2. Keep the sign in front of each term.
3. Collect like terms if needed.
Example: 4(x + 3) = 4x + 12.
Example: -2(3y - 5) = -6y + 10. The second term becomes positive because -2 times -5 is +10.
Example: 3x(2x + 7) = 6x^2 + 21x.
Mistake to avoid: In 5(a - 4), the answer is 5a - 20, not 5a - 4.
Practice: Expand and simplify 2(x + 5) + 3(x - 1). Answer: 5x + 7.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 3 of 10

3. Factorising Expressions
Key idea: Factorising is the reverse of expanding. You look for a common factor and place it
outside a bracket.
Method:
1. Find the highest common factor of the numbers and variables.
2. Put that common factor outside the bracket.
3. Divide each original term by the factor to fill the bracket.
Example: 6x + 12 = 6(x + 2).
Example: 15a^2 - 10a = 5a(3a - 2).
Example: 4xy + 8x = 4x(y + 2).
Check by expanding your answer. If it returns to the original expression, your factorisation
is correct.
Mistake to avoid: Do not remove a factor from only one term. Every term inside the expression
must share the common factor.
Practice: Factorise 12m^2 - 18m. Answer: 6m(2m - 3).

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 4 of 10

4. Solving One-Step and Two-Step Equations

Key idea: An equation is balanced. Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other side.
The aim is to isolate the variable.
Method for two-step equations:
1. Undo addition or subtraction first.
2. Undo multiplication or division second.
Example: 3x + 5 = 20. Subtract 5 from both sides: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5.
Example: 7 - 2a = 15. Subtract 7: -2a = 8. Divide by -2: a = -4.
Check: Put your answer back into the original equation.
Mistake to avoid: In 7 - 2a = 15, the coefficient of a is -2, not +2.
Practice: Solve 4y - 9 = 27. Answer: y = 9.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 5 of 10

5. Equations with Brackets

Key idea: When an equation contains brackets, expand first unless there is an easier divide-
first step.
Method:
1. Expand brackets carefully.
2. Collect like terms on each side.
3. Move variable terms to one side and constants to the other.
4. Divide by the coefficient.
Example: 2(x + 4) = 18. Expand: 2x + 8 = 18. Subtract 8: 2x = 10. Divide by 2: x = 5.
Example: 3(a - 2) + 5 = 20. Expand: 3a - 6 + 5 = 20, so 3a - 1 = 20. Then 3a = 21, a = 7.
Mistake to avoid: 3(a - 2) is 3a - 6, not 3a - 2.
Practice: Solve 5(2x - 1) = 35. Answer: x = 4.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 6 of 10

6. Inequalities
Key idea: Inequalities compare values using <, >, <=, or >=. You solve them like equations,
but there is one important rule.
Important rule: If you multiply or divide both sides by a negative number, reverse the
inequality sign.
Example: x + 4 < 10. Subtract 4: x < 6.
Example: 3a - 2 >= 13. Add 2: 3a >= 15. Divide by 3: a >= 5.
Example: -2y < 8. Divide by -2 and reverse the sign: y > -4.
A solution can be shown on a number line using an open circle for < or > and a closed circle
for <= or >=.
Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to reverse the sign when dividing by a negative.
Practice: Solve -5m >= 20. Answer: m <= -4.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 7 of 10

7. Substitution into Formulae

Key idea: Substitution means replacing letters with given numbers. Use brackets for negative
numbers to avoid sign errors.
Method:
1. Write the formula.
2. Replace each variable with the given value.
3. Calculate powers first, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction.
Example: If A = lw, l = 8, w = 5, then A = 8 x 5 = 40.
Example: If y = 2x^2 - 3x and x = -4, then y = 2(-4)^2 - 3(-4) = 32 + 12 = 44.
Mistake to avoid: (-4)^2 = 16, but -4^2 can mean -(4^2) = -16 if brackets are missing.
Practice: Find P = 2l + 2w when l = 9 and w = 4. Answer: 26.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 8 of 10

8. Rearranging Formulae
Key idea: Rearranging changes the subject of a formula. The subject is the variable by itself
on one side.
Method: Treat the formula like an equation and undo operations in reverse order.
Example: Make x the subject of y = 3x + 7. Subtract 7: y - 7 = 3x. Divide by 3: x = (y - 7)/3.
Example: Make h the subject of A = bh/2. Multiply by 2: 2A = bh. Divide by b: h = 2A/b.
Example: Make r the subject of C = 2*pi*r. Divide by 2*pi: r = C/(2*pi).
Mistake to avoid: Do not move terms without doing the same inverse operation to the whole
side.
Practice: Make t the subject of v = d/t. Answer: t = d/v.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 9 of 10

9. Simultaneous Equations: Elimination Method

Key idea: Simultaneous equations have two unknowns. The solution is the pair of values that
makes both equations true.
Method:
1. Line up x terms, y terms, and constants.
2. Multiply one or both equations so one variable has matching coefficients.
3. Add or subtract equations to eliminate one variable.
4. Substitute back to find the other variable.
Example: x + y = 9 and x - y = 3. Add equations: 2x = 12, so x = 6. Then 6 + y = 9, so y = 3.
Mistake to avoid: If signs are different, add. If signs are the same, subtract.
Practice: Solve a + b = 11 and a - b = 5. Answer: a = 8, b = 3.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".
Year 11 Maths - Algebra Quick Guide Page 10 of 10

10. Algebra Exam Checklist

Use this checklist before finishing an algebra question.
- Did you collect only like terms?
- Did you expand every term inside the bracket?
- Did you check signs after multiplying by a negative?
- Did you use brackets when substituting negative numbers?
- Did you check the answer in the original equation?
- Did you write the final answer clearly, such as x = 4?
Mixed practice:
1. Simplify 9x - 4 + 3x + 10. Answer: 12x + 6.
2. Expand -3(2a - 5). Answer: -6a + 15.
3. Factorise 8y + 12. Answer: 4(2y + 3).
4. Solve 5x - 6 = 24. Answer: x = 6.
5. Make x the subject of p = 4x - 1. Answer: x = (p + 1)/4.

Study tip: show working clearly, check units, and explain your reason when a question asks "why".