Expressions, Identities, Formulae, Equations

The following slides show examples of many common and sometimes important expressions, identities, formulae and equations.

They are intended to provide stimulus for discussion. All students should recognise some of the examples and be extended by others.

Students will be challenged to classify examples that are previously unknown and should be encouraged to tackle these just as with the

examples that they do recognise.

Expressions, Identities, Formulae, EquationsAn expression…

Is an algebraic statement consisting of at least one variable and one number. It has no equals sign and so cannot be solved.

An equation…Is an algebraic statement consisting of an expression and a variable (or

another expression) separated by an equal symbol. It can be solved to find the particular values of the variable for which it is true.

A formula…Relates one variable (letter) to another. It consists of one variable and an

expression separated by an equal symbol.An identity…

Is an equation that is always true for any variables (letter values) you choose.

48 y

2275 x

27)1(3 b

14264 aa

)73(5)2(4 27 aa

722 2 k

01ie

12 x

814 x

521

x

5.0sin x

ba 32

1262 xx

xe

2

245sin

86)43(2 aa

baba xxx

aaa 52431

IRV

maF

rc 2

atuv

a

acbbx

2

42

2mce

n

xx i

222 cba

bcCosAcba 2222

aa 0aa 1

cmxy

10 x