Algebra

There are 366 different Starters of The Day, many to choose from. You will find below some starters on the topic of Algebra. A lesson starter does not have to be on the same topic as the main part of the lesson or the topic of the previous lesson. It is often very useful to revise or explore other concepts by using a starter based on a totally different area of Mathematics.

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Algebra Starters:

Add 'em

Add up a sequence of consecutive numbers. Can you find a quick way to do it?

Arithmagons

This lesson starter requires pupils to find the missing numbers in this partly completed arithmagon puzzle.

BTS

You have four minutes to write down as many equations as you can involving B, T and S.

Cars

Calculate the total cost of four cars from the information given.

Chin-Ups

Work out the number of chin ups the characters do on the last day of the week give information about averages.

Christmas Presents

Work out the total cost of five Christmas presents from the information given.

Connecting Rules

Give 20 rules connecting x and y given their values.

Giraffe

The height of this giraffe is three and a half metres plus half of its height. How tall is the giraffe?

Half Hearted

Find the number which when added to the top (numerator) and bottom (denominator) of each fraction make it equivalent to one half.

Khmer's Homework

Check a student's homework. If you find any of the answers are wrong write down a sentence or two explaining what he did wrong.

Know Weigh

Find the weight of one cuboid (by division) of each colour then add your answers together.

Lemon Law

Change the numbers on the apples so that the number on the lemon is the given total.

Less Than

This mathematics lesson starter invites pupils to interpret a three part algebraic inequality.

Light Shopping

A lamp and a bulb together cost 32 pounds. The lamp costs 30 pounds more than the bulb. How much does the bulb cost?

Lost Sheep

Which algebraic expression is the odd one out?

Missing Lengths

Introduce linear equations by solving these problems about lengths.

Mystic Maths

Work out why subtracting a two digit number from its reverse gives a multiple of nine.

Negative Vibes

Practise techniques for answering questions involving negative numbers.

Planet Numpair

The sum and product are given, can you find the two numbers?

PYA

You have four minutes to write down as many equations as you can involving the given letters.

Pyramid Puzzle

Arrange numbers at the bottom of the pyramid which will give the largest total at the top.

Rabbits and Chickens

There are some rabbits and chickens in a field. Calculate how many of each given the number of heads and feet.

Rail Weigh

Use the weights of the trains to work out the weight of a locomotive and a coach. A real situation which produces simultaneous equations.

Refreshing Revision

It is called Refreshing Revision because every time you refresh the page you get different revision questions.

Same Same

A problem involving two people's ages which can be solved using algebra.

Santa's Sleigh

Work out the number of clowns and horses given the number of heads and feet.

Sea Shells

A question which can be best answered by using algebra.

Simultaneous Occasions

A problem which can best be solved as a pair of simultaneous equations.

Stable Scales

Solve these balance puzzles by taking the same away from both sides. An introduction to linear equations.

Sum of the Signs

Each traffic sign stands for a number. Some of the sums of rows and columns are shown. What numbers might the signs stand for?

Summer Holidays

How many children and how many donkeys are on the beach? You can work it out from the number of heads and the number of feet!

Think Back

A problem which can be answered by forming an algebraic equation then solving it.

THOAN

THOAN stands for 'Think of a number' and there are four randomly generated THOAN puzzles to solve.

Ticker News

A Think Of A Number problem presented as a news ticker.

Advanced Algebra Starters

 

Exercises

Algebra In Action

Algebra In Action

Real life problems adapted from an old Mathematics textbook which can be solved using algebra.

Algebra Pairs

Algebra Pairs

The classic Pelmanism or pairs game requiring you to match equivalent expressions.

Algebragons

Algebragons

Find the missing expressions in these partly completed algebraic arithmagon puzzles.

Algebraic Fractions

Algebraic Fractions

A mixture of algebraic fraction calculations and simplifications.

Algebraic HCF

Algebraic HCF

Exercises providing practice finding the highest common factor of algebraic expressions.

Algebraic LCM

Algebraic LCM

Exercises providing practice finding the lowest common multiple of algebraic expressions.

Algebraic Notation

Algebraic Notation

Simplification using the normal conventions of algebra.

Algebraic Perimeters

Algebraic Perimeters

Questions about the perimeters and areas of polygons given as algebraic expressions.

BIDMAS

BIDMAS

A self marking exercise testing the application of BIDMAS, an acronym describing the order of operations used when evaluating expressions.

BIDMAS Game

BIDMAS Game

An online interactive game celebrating the order of mathematical operations.

Binomial Theorem

Binomial Theorem

Exercises in the process of expanding powers of binomial expressions and finding specific coefficients.

Brackets

Brackets

Expand algebraic expressions containing brackets and simplify the resulting expression in this self marking exercise.

Changing The Subject

Changing The Subject

Rearrange a formula in order to find a new subject in this self marking exercise.

Clouds

Clouds

Can you work out which numbers are hidden behind the clouds in these calculations?

Collecting Like Terms

Collecting Like Terms

Practise your algebraic simplification skills with this self marking exercise.

Completing the Square

Completing the Square

Practise this technique for solving quadratic equations and analysing graphs.

Connecting Rules

Connecting Rules

If you are given the values of x and y which of these equations is correct?

DiceGebra

DiceGebra

An online board game for two players evaluating algebraic equations and inequalities.

eQuation Generator

eQuation Generator

An unlimited supply of linear equations just waiting to be solved. Project for the whole class to see then insert the working in your own style.

Equations

Equations

A series of exercises, in increasing order of difficulty, requiring you to solve linear equations. The exercises are self marking.

Equations with Fractions

Equations with Fractions

Practise solving linear equations that contain fractions in this multi-level exercise.

Factorising

Factorising

Practise the skills of algebraic factorisation in this structured online self marking exercise.

Formulae to Remember

Formulae to Remember

The traditional pairs or pelmanism game adapted to test recognition for formulae required to be memorised for GCSE exams.

Function Builder

Function Builder

An interactive function machine for patterns, numbers and equations.

Functions

Functions

An online exercise on function notation, inverse functions and composite functions.

Graph Equation Pairs

Graph Equation Pairs

Match the equation with its graph. Includes quadratics, cubics, reciprocals, exponential and the sine function.

How old was Diophantus?

How old was Diophantus?

An ancient riddle which can be answered by solving an equation containing fractions.

Identity, Equation or Formula?

Identity, Equation or Formula?

Arrange the given statements in groups to show whether they are identities, equations or formulae.

Inequalities

Inequalities

Check that you know what inequality signs mean and how they are used to compare two quantities. Includes negative numbers, decimals, fractions and metric measures.

Iteration

Iteration

Find approximate solutions to equations numerically using iteration.

Lemon Law

Lemon Law

Change the numbers on the apples so that the number on the lemon is the given total.

Linear Programming

Linear Programming

A selection of linear programming questions with an interactive graph plotting tool.

Matchstick Patterns

Matchstick Patterns

Create a formula to describe the nth term of a sequence by examining the structure of the diagrams.

Missing Lengths

Missing Lengths

Find the unknown lengths in the given diagrams and learn some algebra at the same time.

Nevertheless

Nevertheless

Players decide where to place the cards to make an equation with the largest possible solution.

Old Equations

Old Equations

Solve these linear equations that appeared in a book called A Graduated Series of Exercises in Elementary Algebra by Rev George Farncomb Wright published in 1857.

Online Psychic

Online Psychic

Let the psychic read the cards and magically reveal the number you have secretly chosen. What is the mathematics that makes this trick work?

Parametric Equations

Parametric Equations

Develop the skills required to manipulate a set of equations involving a paramater.

Partial Fractions

Partial Fractions

Exercises on mastering the art of partial fraction decomposition.

Pascal's Triangle

Pascal's Triangle

Get to know this famous number pattern with some revealing learning activities

Polynomial Division

Polynomial Division

Practise dividing one algebraic expression by another in this set of exercises.

Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations

Solve these quadratic equations algebraically in this seven-level, self-marking online exercise.

Recurring Decimals

Recurring Decimals

Change recurring decimals into their corresponding fractions and vica versa.

Simultaneous Equations

Simultaneous Equations

A self-marking, multi-level set of exercises on solving pairs of simultaneous equations.

Solve To Find Fractions

Solve To Find Fractions

Find the value of the unknown in each of these linear equations. All of the answers are fractions

Stable Scales

Stable Scales

Ten balance puzzles to prepare you for solving equations.

Substitution

Substitution

Substitute the given values into the algebraic expressions.

Substitution Examples

Substitution Examples

A projectable set of animated examples to help prepare pupils to do the Substitution online exercise.

Substitution Sort

Substitution Sort

Order the algebraic expressions according to their value with the given substitution.

Superfluous

Superfluous

Find a strategy to figure out the values of the letters used in these calculations.

Think of a Number

Think of a Number

Ten students think of a number then perform various operations on that number. You have to find what the original numbers were.

Where am I with Algebra?

Where am I with Algebra?

Find out how developed your algebra skills are and then take them to the next level.

Words and Concepts

Words and Concepts

Fill in the missing words to show an understanding of the vocabulary of equations, inequalities, terms and factors.

Writing Expressions

Writing Expressions

Listen to the voice saying the algebraic expression then write it in its simplest form.

 

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