There are 38 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Introducing algebra, you may find related items under Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae.
Broad Topics > Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae > Introducing algebra
The Number Jumbler can always work out your chosen symbol. Can you work out how?
There are lots of different methods to find out what the shapes are worth - how many can you find?
Can you find pairs of differently sized windows that cost the same?
These eleven shapes each stand for a different number. Can you use the multiplication sums to work out what they are?
Create some shapes by combining two or more rectangles. What can you say about the areas and perimeters of the shapes you can make?
Think of a number and follow my instructions. Tell me your answer, and I'll tell you what you started with! Can you explain how I know?
Nearly all of us have made table patterns on hundred squares, that is 10 by 10 grids. This problem looks at the patterns on differently sized square grids.
Crosses can be drawn on number grids of various sizes. What do you notice when you add opposite ends?
These eleven shapes each stand for a different number. Can you use the number sentences to work out what they are?
A resource to try once children are familiar with number lines, and they have begun to use them for addition. It could be a good way to talk about subtraction. Leah and Tom each have a number line. Can you work out where their counters will land?
Annie and Ben are playing a game with a calculator. What was Annie's secret number?
These sixteen children are standing in four lines of four, one behind the other. They are each holding a card with a number on it. Can you work out the missing numbers?
Think of a number and follow the machine's instructions... I know what your number is! Can you explain how I know?
In how many different ways can you break up a stick of seven interlocking cubes? Now try with a stick of eight cubes and a stick of six cubes. What do you notice?
One block is needed to make an up-and-down staircase, with one step up and one step down. How many blocks would be needed to build an up-and-down staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down?
My two digit number is special because adding the sum of its digits to the product of its digits gives me my original number. What could my number be?
Can you replace the letters with numbers? Is there only one solution in each case?
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
Think of two whole numbers under 10, and follow the steps. I can work out both your numbers very quickly. How?
Amy's mum had given her £2.50 to spend. She bought four times as many pens as pencils and was given 40p change. How many of each did she buy?
The value of the circle changes in each of the following problems. Can you discover its value in each problem?
On a farm there were some hens and sheep. Altogether there were 8 heads and 22 feet. How many hens were there?
Max and Bryony both have a box of sweets. What do you know about the number of sweets they each have?
Lynne suggests activities which support the development of primary children's algebraic thinking.
By following through the threads of algebraic thinking discussed in this article, we can ensure that children's mathematical experiences follow a continuous progression.
When Charlie asked his grandmother how old she is, he didn't get a straightforward reply! Can you work out how old she is?
Max and Mandy put their number lines together to make a graph. How far had each of them moved along and up from 0 to get the counter to the place marked?
Write a Logo program, putting in variables, and see the effect when you change the variables.
Learn to write procedures and build them into Logo programs. Learn to use variables.
Sam's grandmother has an old recipe for cherry buns. She has enough mixture to put 45 grams in each of 12 paper cake cases. What was the weight of one egg?
Use the information to work out how many gifts there are in each pile.
Cassandra, David and Lachlan are brothers and sisters. They range in age between 1 year and 14 years. Can you figure out their exact ages from the clues?
There are three buckets each of which holds a maximum of 5 litres. Use the clues to work out how much liquid there is in each bucket.
In 1871 a mathematician called Augustus De Morgan died. De Morgan made a puzzling statement about his age. Can you discover which year De Morgan was born in?
Can you substitute numbers for the letters in these sums?
Peter, Melanie, Amil and Jack received a total of 38 chocolate eggs. Use the information to work out how many eggs each person had.
Sam sets up displays of cat food in his shop in triangular stacks. If Felix buys some, then how can Sam arrange the remaining cans in triangular stacks?
Take a counter and surround it by a ring of other counters that MUST touch two others. How many are needed?