📚 Unit Plans → 🌍 Y7/8 Introduction to Algebra — Te Tātai Tauira → 📄 Handout: Variable Vocabulary
Years 7–8 Pāngarau / Mathematics

Handout: Variable Vocabulary

Understanding the language of algebra.

Key Terms

Variable
A symbol (usually a letter like 'x' or 'y') that represents a number we don't know yet. It's a placeholder.
Expression
A mathematical phrase that contains numbers, variables, and operators (like +, −, ×, ÷). Example: x + 5
Equation
A statement that two expressions are equal. It has an equals sign (=). Example: x + 5 = 10
Constant
A number on its own, whose value does not change. In "x + 5 = 10", the numbers 5 and 10 are constants.

Practice: Translate to Algebra

Read the sentence and write it as an algebraic expression or equation. Use 'n' as your variable.

  1. A number increased by 7.
    Answer: _________________________
  2. The product of a number and 4.
    Answer: _________________________
  3. A number decreased by 10 is 25.
    Answer: _________________________
  4. Five less than a number.
    Answer: _________________________
  5. A number shared between 3 people.
    Answer: _________________________
🔑 Kaiako answer key

Practice: Translate to Algebra

  1. n + 7
  2. 4n
  3. n − 10 = 25
  4. n − 5
  5. n ÷ 3, usually written n/3

Watch for: only item 3 is an equation — it is the one containing the word “is”. The other four are expressions. That difference is the point of the sheet, so make ākonga name which is which before they move on. Item 4, “five less than a number”, is the one most often reversed to 5 − n.

📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot

Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions

A reference and practice sheet for Lesson 2, defining variable, expression, equation and constant, then using them.

Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria

  • ✅ I can explain what a variable, an expression, an equation and a constant are.
  • ✅ I can turn a sentence into an expression or an equation using n.
  • ✅ I can say which of my answers are equations and which are expressions.

Differentiation & Inclusion

The Key Terms section is a reference, not a test — leave it visible while ākonga work. For ELL ākonga, "expression" and "equation" are near-identical words for very different things; the equals sign is the reliable giveaway, so teach that as the test.