Notation conventions: GCSE and IGCSE Maths Practice
Notation and vocabulary
Notation conventions
40 self-marking GCSE and IGCSE practice questions on Notation conventions, written specifically for AQA, Pearson, OCR, Pearson International GCSE Maths A (4MA1), Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580), Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Mathematics (0980) across Foundation and Higher and Core and Extended tier. Instant marking with full worked solutions on every question.
A few of the 40 questions, from easier to harder. Choose your exam board and tier to practise them, with every answer marked.
Question 11 markGrade 1-2
Write a×b using algebraic notation.
Show the worked solution
By convention, a×b is written as ab - the multiplication sign is dropped when multiplying two letters together.
What are the common mistakes in Notation conventions?
When a pupil makes one of these on Revision Workshop, the marking engine names the mistake and explains it, instead of just marking the answer wrong.
Keeps an explicit multiplication symbol rather than using standard algebraic notation
Kept the × symbol instead of writing the letters next to each other
Confuses a terms index/power with its coefficient
Confused a2 (a squared) with 2a (2 lots of a) - these mean different things
Gives a decimal where an exact fraction was required
Quick answers about Notation conventions
How many Notation conventions practice questions are there?
There are 40 self-marking GCSE and IGCSE Maths questions on Notation conventions, written for AQA, Pearson, OCR, Pearson International GCSE Maths A (4MA1), Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580), Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Mathematics (0980) across Foundation and Higher and Core and Extended tier. Each one is marked instantly and has a full worked solution.
Do I need an account to practise Notation conventions?
No. You can start practising Notation conventions straight away without an account. A free account keeps your results across sessions, so you can see your progress on this topic over time.
Question 21 markGrade 1-2
Write y+y+y using algebraic notation, as simply as possible.
Show the worked solution
Adding y to itself 3 times is the same as 3×y, which is written as 3y by convention (coefficient first, no multiplication sign).
Question 31 markGrade 3-4
Write a coefficient of two and a quarter for y, as an algebraic term, using a fraction rather than a decimal.
Question 42 marksGrade 3-4
A student writes 2(x+3) as 2x+3.
(a) Is this correct?
(b) Give a reason for your answer.
Question 51 markGrade 4-5
Write 32 of x as a single algebraic term.
Question 64 marksGrade 4-5
e is 3 more than d. f is 5 less than d.
a) Write an expression for e in terms of d.
b) Write an expression for f in terms of d.
c) Work out e−f. Simplify your answer.