Edexcel GCSE Maths Specification - Algebra

Algebra - Edexcel GCSE Specification

This is everything you need to know for Edexcel GCSE Maths for the 'algebra' portion of the qualification

Notation, Vocabulary, and Manipulation

You must be able to:        * Use and interpret algebraic manipulation, including ab in place of a × b,  3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y, a^2 in place of a × a, and brackets        * Substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae        * Use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, formulae, identities, inequalities, terms and factors          * Rearrange and simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions (including those involving surds) by:            ● collecting like terms             ● multiplying a single term over a bracket             ● taking out common factors            ● factorising quadratic expressions of the form x 2 + bx + c, including the difference of two squares            ● simplifying expressions involving sums, products and powers, including the laws of indices        * Where appropriate, be able to interpret simple expressions as functions with inputs and outputs

Graphs

You must be able to:        * Work with coordinates in all four quadrants A9         * Plot straight-line graphs in the form y = mx + c, and use this equation to identify parallel lines, find the equation of the line through two fiven points, or through one point with a given gradient         * Identify and interpret gradients and intercepts of linear functions graphically and algebraically          * Identify and interpret roots, intercepts, turning points of quadratic functions graphically; deduce roots algebraically         * Recognise, sketch and interpret graphs of linear functions, quadratic functions, simple cubic functions, the reciprocal function y = 1/x where x ≠ 0        * Plot and interpret graphs (including reciprocal graphs) and graphs of non-standard functions in real contexts to find approximate solutions to problems such as simple kinematic problems involving distance, speed and acceleration

Solving Equations and Inequalities

You must be able to:        * Solve linear equations with unknown algebraically         * Solve quadratic equations algebraically by factorising        * Solve two simultaneous equations in two variables        * Be able to use a graph to find approximate solutions when appropriate        * Translate simple situations or procedures into algebraic expressions or formulae, derive an equation, solve the equation, and interpret the solution         * Solve linear inequalities with variable; represent the solution set on a number line

Sequences

You must be able to:        * Generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule         * Recognise and use sequences of triangular, square and cube numbers, simple arithmetic progressions, Fibonacci type sequences, quadratic sequences, and simple geometric progressions (r^n where n is an integer, and r is a rational number > 0)         * Deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear sequences