✔ Add coefficients 4 and 3 to get 7, keep the letter a.
Q2. Which algebraic simplification is correct?
✔ Only like terms combine. Subtract 2 from 5 to get 3m.
Q3. Ravi has $x, Siti has $2x. What is the total?
✔ Add x and 2x to get 3x representing the total money.
Show transcript
[Slide 1] Understanding Algebra in Daily Life
Imagine Ravi buying three packets of noodles and Siti buying two more. We use letters to represent these unknown quantities just like counting dollars.
[Slide 2] The Rule for Simplifying
You cannot mix different letters together, similar to not mixing dollars and cents. Only combine terms that share the exact same variable name.
[Slide 3] Worked Example Setup
Wei Ming collects x stamps while Mei Ling collects three times as many. We draw bar models to see how their collections relate visually.
[Slide 4] Worked Example Solution
Adding one unit and three units gives four units total. The letter remains attached, showing we have simplified the expression correctly.
[Slide 5] Common Mistake Alert
Students often add the number two to three x, making five x. Remember, constants stay separate, just like a single dollar note in your pocket.
[Slide 6] Quick Recap for PSLE
To succeed in PSLE, identify matching letters and add their numbers. The variable stays the same, helping you solve questions faster.