Algebra
Equations, expressions, graphs, sequences and inequalities.
55 topics
Algebra is where GCSE Maths becomes abstract, and it is the unit that most divides students. It covers expressions and simplification, expanding and factorising, solving equations and inequalities, sequences, straight-line and quadratic graphs, simultaneous equations and the language of functions.
Work through it in order. Manipulating expressions confidently comes before solving equations, and solving equations comes before anything graphical. Quadratics deserve the most time, because factorising, the formula and completing the square all appear and each is examined differently. The most common errors are sign slips when expanding brackets, forgetting that both sides of an equation must be treated identically, and reversing the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative. Show every line of working: method marks are available even when the final answer is wrong.