Review of the Grade 7 Algebra course
Grade 8 algebra builds on Grade 7, so we recall it first. When a “−” sign stands in front of brackets, every term inside changes its sign when the brackets are opened. To multiply polynomials, multiply every term of the first by every term of the second and then collect like terms. The most useful formulas are (a ± b)² = a² ± 2ab + b² and a² − b² = (a − b)(a + b). To factor, first take out the common factor, then use grouping or a formula. In a linear equation, move the terms with the unknown to one side and the numbers to the other (changing their signs) and divide by the coefficient of the unknown.
“Formula chain”: one pupil writes a polynomial on the board, the next factors it or squares it, and a third multiplies the result back to check.