An introduction to algebra for Year 7: what pronumerals are, how to read and write expressions, substituting numbers for letters, and collecting like terms. Each idea comes with a short worked example and the mistakes students most often make.
Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
Completed: Algebra Basics: Expressions
Year 7 students (typically ages 12–13) working on algebraic expressions. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.
This is a study guide, so there is no separate answer sheet; the 'Check yourself' questions include answers.
About 20 minutes. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.
Try Year 7 Simplifying Expressions (Like Terms) Worksheet — Level 1.
Year 7 · Mathematics · Algebraic Expressions
Student name:
Date:
In algebra, a letter called a pronumeral (or variable) stands for a number we do not know yet, or a number that can change. An expression is a collection of numbers and pronumerals joined by operations, such as 3x + 5. In that expression, 3x and 5 are terms, 3 is the coefficient of x, and 5 is a constant (a term with no pronumeral). Expressions do not have an equals sign — that is what makes an equation.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3a | 3 × a (the × sign is left out) |
| ab | a × b |
| a2 | a × a |
| a ÷ 4 | |
| 2a + 5 | 2 × a, then add 5 |
Substitution. To substitute means to replace the pronumeral with a number and then calculate. Write the multiplication sign back in when you substitute so you do not accidentally join digits together.
Substituting values
Collecting like terms. Like terms have exactly the same pronumeral part: 3x and 5x are like terms, and so are 4ab and −ab. You can add or subtract like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients: 3x + 5x = 8x. Unlike terms, such as 3x and 2y or x and x2, cannot be combined.
Simplify 5m + 3n − 2m + n
Answers: 1. k − 7 2. 7 3. 7p 4. 5a + 2 5. 16 6. 2x + 5y
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource.
Collect like terms and simplify algebraic expressions. Builds confidence with the core skill before adding complexity. This Year 7…
Collect like terms and simplify algebraic expressions. Builds confidence with the core skill before adding complexity. This Year 7…
Substitute values into expressions and formulas and evaluate. Builds confidence with the core skill before adding complexity. This Year 7…
Expand single brackets, then binomial products. Builds confidence with the core skill before adding complexity. This Year 7 worksheet has…
Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.