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Lesson 14 of 15

8 min

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Eleven ideas, eleven questions. The table is here if a question stalls.

Expressions using Letter-Numbers — eleven moves
IdeaHow it goes
Hold a numbern stands for a number nobody has chosen yet. It can be any number.
Carry a ruleFour arms of n, one middle tile: 4n + 1.
Drop the times sign3n is 3 × n, written shorter.
Take a valueSwap the letter, multiply first, then add.
Match, or notSame at every value is the same expression. One match proves nothing.
Sort by letter partLike terms share a letter part. Plain numbers are like each other.
Join two of themString every term, then collect. A minus reaches the whole bracket.
Read a situationA per-one amount, plus a once-only amount: 40t + 15.
Write a formulaA formula is a rule written in letters. A regular polygon has equal sides and equal angles. With n sides of length a, its perimeter is n × a.
Name a calendar squareCall the top-left date a. Right of it is a + 1. Below it is a + 7. Across the diagonal is a + 8. Each diagonal adds to 2a + 8.
Test a simplificationTo test a simplified line, put the same number into both sides. Different answers mean a mistake. One match proves nothing.

A tin holds some marbles. The count is called n. What can n be in n + 3?

  • Only one number, which you must find first
  • A number that never changes
  • Any number you choose to try

The plus pattern has four arms of n tiles. It has one middle tile. How many tiles at step 10?

  • 40, because four arms of ten
  • 41
  • 45, because the count started at 5

What is 3n when n holds 5?

  • 15
  • 35
  • 8

What is 2n + 3 when n holds 4?

  • 14
  • 11
  • 24

Someone claims 2n + 3 and 5n are the same. Both give 5 at n = 1. Are they?

  • Yes — one matching value is enough
  • No — at n = 2 they give 7 and 10
  • We cannot tell, because n has no fixed value

Which of these may be collected into a single term?

  • 3a and 5a
  • 3a and 2b
  • 4n and 4

What does (5n + 3) − (2n + 1) collect to?

  • 3n + 4
  • 3n + 2
  • 7n + 4

An auto ride starts at ₹30 and adds ₹12 for each kilometre. What is the fare for k kilometres?

  • 42k rupees
  • 12k + 30 rupees
  • 30k + 12 rupees

A regular octagon has 8 equal sides, each s cm long. Which formula gives its perimeter?

  • 8s
  • 8 + s
  • 4s

The top-left date of a calendar square is w. What is the bottom-right date?

  • w + 2
  • w + 6
  • w + 8

Someone says 5 − (2 − k) = 3 − k. At k = 0 both sides give 3. What should you do?

  • Say it is right, because the sides match
  • Say it is wrong, because the letters differ
  • Try another number, because one match proves nothing

Part I, Chapter 4 is called Expressions using Letter-Numbers. Open it, and see which page you recognise first.

Next: Parallel and Intersecting Lines. Lines that cross, lines that never do. And the angles a third line makes.

Reveal every answer to finish this lesson.