Algebra: quadratics, rearranging formulae and identities (2 year teaching) (8300 - Higher - Algebra)

Topic:Algebra: quadratics, rearranging formulae and identities

Specification references (in recommended teaching order)

Specification content Specification notes
A4
  • Simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions (including those involving surds) by:
    • expanding products of two or more binomials
    • factorising quadratic expressions of the form  including the difference of two squares
    • factorising quadratic expressions of the form 
    • simplifying expressions involving sums, products and powers, including the laws of indices


A5
  • Understand and use standard mathematical formulae
  • Rearrange formulae to change the subject

  • including use of formulae from other subjects in words and using symbols

A6
  • Know the difference between an equation and an identity
  • Argue mathematically to show algebraic expressions are equivalent, and use algebra to support and construct arguments and proofs


A7
  • Where appropriate, interpret simple expressions as functions with inputs and outputs
  • Interpret the reverse process as the ‘inverse function’
  • Interpret the succession of two functions as a ‘composite function’

  • understand and use function notation: `f(x)`, `fg(x)`, `f^-1(x)` is expected at higher tier


The subject content (above) matches that set out in the Department for Education’s Mathematics GCSE subject content and assessment objectives document.

The expectation is that:

  • All students will develop confidence and competence with the content identified by standard type
  • All students will be assessed on the content identified by the standard and the underlined type; more highly attaining students will develop confidence and competence with all of this content
  • Only the more highly attaining students will be assessed on the content identified by bold type. The highest attaining students will develop confidence and competence with the bold content.

Teaching resources

Teaching resources - see below
Downloadable resource in format. 29/08/2014

Diagnostic Questions - quadratics, rearranging formulae and identities 1
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic questions assessment for our new 2017 GCSE Maths specification.25/07/2017
Diagnostic Questions - quadratics, rearranging formulae and identities 2
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic questions assessment for our new 2017 GCSE Maths specification.25/07/2017
Diagnostic Questions - quadratics, rearranging formulae and identities 3
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic questions assessment for our new 2017 GCSE Maths specification.25/07/2017

Multiplying three brackets
A straightforward powerpoint which explains a clear method for expanding three brackets.24/08/2015

CIMT: Expanding and Factorising Quadratics
The expanding and factorising section of this website offers an explanation and examples on how to expand and factorise, including the difference of two squares, followed by some online exercises.05/08/2015
Composition of Functions
An introduction to composition of functions followed by ten fairly demanding online multiple choice questions.19/08/2015
Double brackets starter / plenary activity
Designed for use with an interactive voting system this multiple choice quiz offers practise in factorising expressions into two brackets including a couple of challenging questions suitable only for higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015
Expanding Polynomials
A straightforward game in which students roll dice to choose three sets of binomial expressions which they must expand. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 19/08/2015
Factorising Quadratics Tarsia (Harder)
A rhombus shaped tarsia activity containing difficult quadratics that should be factorised. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 19/08/2015
Quadratic Expression Match Up
A lesson of activities including a starter and differentiated match up activities, including some of the form ax2+bx+c for extension work for Higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015
Tarsia - Composite Functions
A 'domino style' tarsia involving finding the numerical value of simple functions and composite functions. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 19/08/2015
Teachit Maths: Solving quadratics dominoes
Domino style activity in which students must pair up the quadratic equations with its pair of solutions.02/09/2015
Transum: Changing the Subject
Six increasingly demanding online exercises involving changing the subject of a formula.05/08/2015

Double brackets starter / plenary activity
Designed for use with an interactive voting system this multiple choice quiz offers practise in factorising expressions into two brackets including a couple of challenging questions suitable only for higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015

Double brackets starter / plenary activity
Designed for use with an interactive voting system this multiple choice quiz offers practise in factorising expressions into two brackets including a couple of challenging questions suitable only for higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015

'Show that' - rearranging the formulae
A differentiated worksheet in which students must rearrange expressions to give the answer provided. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015
Algebraic proof
A nice activity in which the basic 'tools' of mathematical proof are introduced and some standard types of mathematics proof at GCSE level are considered. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 19/08/2015
Changing the subject of area and volume formulae
A straightforward worksheet in which students must rearrange various formulae for area and volume - the later questions are more suitable for higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015
Factorising and expanding double brackets boxset
A fantastic Excel file which has a large number of exercises on expanding and factorising quadratic expressions, including the difference of two squares. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 19/08/2015
Factorising into double brackets
A differentiated worksheet in which students use the letters alongside the answers to answer the clues. The hardest questions include some quadratics of the form ax2+bx+c for an extension challenge for Higher tier students. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 05/08/2015

Algebra - Expanding two or more brackets
A video in which the method for expanding and simplifying various types of two or three bracket expressions is explained.19/08/2015

Algebraic manipulation and formulae - Homework Sheet and Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in doc format. 02/01/2010
Algebraic manipulation and formulae - Homework Sheet and Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in doc format. 03/02/2010
Algebraic proof - Brackets - Lesson starter
Downloadable resource in doc format. 01/06/2010
Algebraic proof - Homework Sheet and Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in doc format. 02/04/2010
Algebraic proof - Lesson plan 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/06/2010
Algebraic proof - Lesson plan 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 13/06/2010
Algebraic proof - Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 16/05/2010
Algebraic proof - Worksheet 2 and Answers
Downloadable resource in doc format. 15/05/2010
Quadratic equations - Homework Sheet and Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in doc format. 08/04/2010
Quadratic equations - Lesson plan
Downloadable resource in doc format. 22/06/2010
Quadratic Equations - Worksheet and Answers
Downloadable resource in doc format. 22/05/2010

Topic Tests

8300 GCSE Higher Completing the Square Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 09/09/2022
8300 GCSE Higher Completing the Square Topic Test
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 09/09/2022

Create, edit, and share assessments quickly and easily with Exampro Mathematics