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National Curriculum Resource Tool

Materials to support teachers and schools in embedding the National Curriculum

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KS3 - Algebra

New Curriculum

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Use and interpret algebraic notation, including:
    • ab in place of a × b
    • 3y in place of y + y + y and 3 × y
    • a2 in place of a × a, a3 in place of a × a × a; a2b in place of a × a × b
    • ab in place of a ÷ b
    • coefficients written as fractions rather than as decimals
    • brackets
  • substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae
  • understand and use the concepts and vocabulary of expressions, equations, inequalities, terms and factors
  • simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions to maintain equivalence by:
    • collecting like terms
    • multiplying a single term over a bracket
    • taking out common factors
    • expanding products of two or more binominals
  • understand and use standard mathematical formulae; rearrange formulae to change the subject
  • model situations or procedures by translating them into algebraic expressions or formulae and by using graphs
  • use algebraic methods to solve linear equations in one variable (including all forms that require rearrangement)
  • work with coordinates in all four quadrants
  • recognise, sketch and produce graphs of linear and quadratic functions of one variable with appropriate scaling, using equations in x and y and the Cartesian plane
  • interpret mathematical relationships both algebraically and graphically
  • reduce a given linear equation in two variables to the standard form y=mx+c; calculate and interpret gradients and intercepts of graphs of such linear equations numerically, graphically and algebraically
  • use linear and quadratic graphs to estimate values of y for given values of x and vice versa and to find approximate solutions of simultaneous linear equations
  • find approximate solutions to contextual problems from given graphs of a variety of functions, including piece-wise linear, exponential and reciprocal graphs
  • generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or position-to-term rule
  • recognise arithmetic sequences and find the nth term
  • recognise geometric sequences and appreciate other sequences that arise.

Non-Statutory Guidance

Links and Resources