What are Algebraic Identities for Kids? What are the Different Algebraic Expressions?

Math hasn’t always been kids’ favourite. Some may be good at it, some of them might not. It helps build your child’s thinking capabilities, and it is the basics of every education.

Algebraic identities are one of the important topics of Algebra. This little topic will help your kids understand more complex topics of their higher education, such as quadratic equations, differentiation, trigonometry etc. But, how can you make your kid learn when they don’t like math at all? Well, it’s not that hard. They have to change their learning process. 

Instead of going through the pages of a book, your child can learn easily by watching videos, playing games related to it, having a fun test and breaking the topic into a simple form.

Also Read: What is the Best Age for Kids to Start Coding? Know When should Your Kid Start Coding

What is Algebra for Kids?

When you hear the word algebra, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Equations having numbers and alphabets, right? Due to this, a lot of middle school children are scared of algebra. But in reality, it’s not that hard.

Algebra is simply finding unknowns. Let us understand it by taking an example.

Example: 3x + 2 = 11

Solution: Here, the example is an algebraic expression (we will talk about it later, first understand how we can find unknowns).

The x is unknown. Let’s go step by step to find it.

Step 1

3x = 11 – 2

The rule is whenever we move a number or an alphabet from the left-hand side to the right-hand side or right-hand side to the left-hand side, the sign changes.

So, the equation is now,

3x = 9

Step 2

x = 9/3

When the number or alphabet moves from the left-hand side to the right-hand side or right-hand side to the left-hand side, multiplication changes to division or division changes to multiplication.

Now, the answer is,

x = 3

Pretty simple and fun, right?

Algebraic Expression for Kids

An algebraic expression is nothing but a combination of numbers and alphabets having the left-hand and right-hand sides equal. The expression can have multiple numbers and alphabets. But, for starting, the numbers and alphabets are kept short and easy for kids.

We gave you one example above. Let’s look at some other examples:

Example 1

5y – 7 = 3

Example 2

6y = 36

Example 3

3 (4x + 5) = 27

(For expressions having brackets use BODMAS rule)

Example 4

2 (y – 4) = 4

Look at these algebra problems for kids carefully. Each one has an unknown. Give your child these examples to solve and help them find the unknowns.

Answers

Example 1:- 2

Example 2:- 6

Example 3:- 1

Example 4:- 6

What are Algebraic Identities for Kids?

Math is a fun subject if one doesn’t freak out and try to learn. There are tons of ways to solve one problem. We just have to know the easiest one. Many of our old mathematicians left behind amazing formulas and shortcuts to solve a question. One of them is algebraic identities in algebra. These are the shortcuts to solve complex algebraic expressions within no time.

Read the following definition of the algebraic identities to get more clear.

Algebraic identities are equations having alphabets. The left-hand side is the problem equation, and on the right-hand side, you’ll get the easy trick to solve the equation. The equation is always true for different sets of variables.

Variables are nothing but the alphabets present in the equation. Its value can be changed. That’s why it is termed as a variable.

Examples

Let’s have a look at some basic examples of algebraic identities:

Example 1: (a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

Example 2: (a – c)^2 = a^2 – 2ac + c^2

Example 3: a^2 – c^2= (a + c)(a – c)

Example 4: (a + c)^3 = a^3 + c^3 + 3ac (a + c)

Example 5: (a – c)^3 = a^3 – c^3 – 3ac (a – c)

Example 6: (x + a)(x + c) = x^2 + (a + c) x + ac

Example 7:  (a + c + d)^2 = a^2 + c^2 + d^2 + 2ac + 2cd + 2da

Example 8: a^3 + c^3 + d^3 – 3acd = (a + c + d)(a^2 + c^2 + d^2 – ac – cd – da)

If you put any number in the variables, the left-hand side will always be equal to the right-hand side. Let us take the above algebra problems for kids and prove them by putting different numbers in variables.

Example 1

 (a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

Variable a = 1 and variable c = 2

Answer: (a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

First, solving the left-hand side.

(1+2)^2 = 3^2 

=> 9

Now, solving the right-hand side.

1^2 + 2*1*2 + 2^2 = 1 + 4 + 4

=> 9

Therefore, the L.H.S = R.H.S

Now, let’s put some other numbers in the variables.

Example 2

(a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

Variable a = 3 and variable c = 4

Answer: (a + c)^2 = a^2 + 2ac + c^2

First, solving the left-hand side.

(3+4)^2 = 7^2 

=> 49

Now, solving the right-hand side.

3^2 + 2*3*4 + 4^2 = 9 + 24 + 16

=> 49

Therefore, the L.H.S = R.H.S

Take other numbers and put them in the variables of every algebraic identities example we mentioned. This can be a fun algebra game for kids. For more fun games, keep reading the article. We have a one-stop solution for you.

Algebra Books for Kids

#1. Maths NCERT book of class eighth

#2. Mystery Math: The First Book of Algebra by David A. Adler

#3. Algebra Essential Practice Book by Chris McMullen

#4. Basic Algebra for Kids: Simple step by step Guide for Learning by Deborah Waugh

Conclusion

Your kids can easily learn algebraic identities and expressions. The method should be easy and fun. And to have all these fun ways of learning in one place, check out the Real School Of Montessori for your kids. We have expert mentors and easy-to-learn algebra games for kids. Try out the masterclasses now.

Also Read: Scratch Coding for Kids: Simplifying the Concepts of Coding for Super Kids