Algebra and Order of Operations
Collecting like terms in algebra means grouping similar variables together. In expressions like 2x + 3y + 4x - 6y, combine the x terms 2x+4x=6x and y terms 3y−6y=−3y separately.
BIDMAS rules Brackets,Indices,Division/Multiplication,Addition/Subtraction determine the order you solve calculations. For 3 + 2 × 4, you multiply first (2 × 4 = 8), then add (3 + 8 = 11).
Ratio problems require you to understand proportional relationships. If counters are in the ratio 2:3:5, this means for every 2 red counters, there are 3 blue and 5 yellow ones.
Watch Out: When someone calculates 5 + 6 × 3 as 33, they've ignored BIDMAS and worked left to right instead - the correct answer is 23!