Help needed! Anyone good at algebra??

[pipscariad]

It says it all really - my two lads (year 8) are struggling with algebra homework, and I am absolutely no use at all (numbers ain't my thing) - even OH, who is good at arithmatic, is phased by algebra. So, I figured that hopefully one of the wonderful grapes will be adept at algebra......please, oh please!

I figure that if someone could show me how an equation is done, with workings out, maybe it'll 'click' and we can go from there.

So, in the hope that someone out there can help, here is one of the questions:

4u+3v+12u-2v (now that just looks scary to me )

Any takers???

(Just wait until Bean gets to this stage HW, oh for the toddling days, I knew where I was with that!)

[tiachica]

I would say:
=16u+v

[sewer rat]

That would be my answer too; 16u + v

[HotStuff]

Yep,

16u + 1v

Would be my answer.

[JanieB]

I would say:
=16u+v

That's what I make it too. Next please.

[elsie-scot]

4u+3v+12u-2v

move the equation so that is reads 4u+12u+3v-2v might make it easier to understand, then do the similar letters sums 4u +12u =16u and 3v-2v = 1v. The put back together and it is 16u+v (d0nt need the 1)

[HotStuff]

4u+3v+12u-2v

move the equation so that is reads 4u+12u+3v-2v might make it easier to understand, then do the similar letters sums 4u +12u =16u and 3v-2v = 1v. The put back together and it is 16u+v (d0nt need the 1)

You don't need the one, but I prefer to be explicit

[elsie-scot]

You don't need the one, but I prefer to be explicit

and I'm one for doing things in the shortest possible way!

[lizzylemon]

I just read that that as:

fmdklfmkvmmfv ;kejnrgerngdfm vfm vkerj



So can you explain how you came to that answer in plain simple English - I'm kinda interested and I'm sure P's boys would like to know the way the equations are worked out and the basic principle..

[tiachica]

You could translate this 4u+3v+12u-2v as such:

4apples add 3 pears add 12 apples take away 2 pears = 16 apples and one pear

[Liza]

You could translate this 4u+3v+12u-2v as such:

4apples add 3 pears add 12 apples take away 2 pears = 16 apples and one pear

Excellent example

[organic]

tiachia - not everyone understands when you put it like that, but for the rest that's an excellent explanation.
In essence, all the letters just represent something (to could be another number or an object or something).

Explained like a teacher - you're not, are you?

[pipscariad]

Thank you for all your replies - I'm relieved to see that you came up with the same answer

Especial thanks to these two, as they explained how you got to the answer (which is the key thing here, the understanding):

4u+3v+12u-2v

move the equation so that is reads 4u+12u+3v-2v might make it easier to understand, then do the similar letters sums 4u +12u =16u and 3v-2v = 1v. The put back together and it is 16u+v (d0nt need the 1)

You could translate this 4u+3v+12u-2v as such:

4apples add 3 pears add 12 apples take away 2 pears = 16 apples and one pear

I like the fruit example, I can relate to that.

And now (oh no, I hear you say, not more...!), just to push my luck on this subject, how would you mathmaticians tackle 3 (2f +4)?? *ducks below the table* Or should I get my coat....

Btw, am I to assume from your answers to the first question, that the letters are not that relevant as such (i.e., could be 'a', could be 'p'), merely show which numbers link together?

Oh, Lizzy, think back to me when your daughter gets to this stage - the many different facets of parenthood!

Thanks again folks - the Vine is a wonderful thing

[Jeanied]

I hazard a guess at 6f +12 but you can't go any further than that without knowing the value of f.
Hides in case it is all wrong.

[pipscariad]

In essence, all the letters just represent something (to could be another number or an object or something).

Btw, am I to assume from your answers to the first question, that the letters are not that relevant as such (i.e., could be 'a', could be 'p'), merely show which numbers link together?

You were ahead of me there Organic, I took so long to compose my message.