Home Practice
For learners and parents For teachers and schools
Past papers Textbooks
Mathematics
Mathematics Grade 7 Mathematics Grade 8 Mathematics Grade 9 Mathematics Grade 10 Mathematics Grade 11 Mathematics Grade 12
Mathematical Literacy
Mathematical Literacy Grade 10
Physical Sciences
Physical Sciences Grade 10 Physical Sciences Grade 11 Physical Sciences Grade 12
Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences Grade 4 Natural Sciences Grade 5 Natural Sciences Grade 6 Natural Sciences Grade 7 Natural Sciences Grade 8 Natural Sciences Grade 9
Life Sciences
Life Sciences Grade 10
CAT
CAT Grade 10 CAT Grade 11 CAT Grade 12
IT
IT Grade 10 IT Grade 11 IT Grade 12
Full catalogue
Leaderboards
Learners Leaderboard Grades Leaderboard Schools Leaderboard
Campaigns
Headstart #MillionMaths
Learner opportunities Pricing Support
Help centre Contact us
Log in

We think you are located in South Africa. Is this correct?

1.1 Introduction

Test yourself now

High marks in science are the key to your success and future plans. Test yourself and learn more on Siyavula Practice.

Sign up and test yourself

Chapter 1: Algebraic expressions

1.1 Introduction (EMA2)

  • Content covered in this chapter includes understanding how numbers are classified as rational or irrational, estimating surds, rounding off, factorisation and simplification.
  • This chapter provides a lot of core skills that learners will apply to the rest of mathematics. Ensure that learners are sufficiently proficient in the skills covered in this chapter.
  • Rounding real numbers is an important skill that learners will use often. Ensure that learners are completely comfortable with this skill.
  • Factorisation forms the groundwork for solving equations. Learners should be comfortable factorising trinomials and binomials.
  • Factorisation should include types covered in grade 9 as well as trinomials, grouping in pairs and sum and difference of two cubes.

Over human history, all peoples and cultures have contributed to the field of Mathematics. Topics like algebra may seem obvious now, but for many centuries mathematicians had to make do without it. Over the next three grades, you will explore more advanced and abstract mathematics. It may not be obvious how this applies to everyday life, but the truth is, mathematics is required for nearly everything you will do one day. Enjoy your mathematical journey. Remember, there is no such thing as a “maths person” or “not a maths person”. We can all do mathematics, it just takes practice.

Some examples of early tally sticks. These were used to help people count things such as the number of days between events or the number of livestock they had.

In this chapter, we will begin by revising the real number system and then learn about estimating surds and rounding real numbers. We will also be expanding on prior knowledge of factorisation and delve into more complex calculations involving binomial and trinomial expressions.