Notation, vocabulary and manipulation common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Algebraic notation common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Use and interpret algebraic notation for products, powers, division, fractional coefficients and brackets..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Algebraic notation.

• Substitution common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Substitute numerical values into formulae and expressions, including scientific formulae supplied in a question..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Substitution.

• Algebraic vocabulary common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Understand and use algebraic vocabulary for expressions, equations, formulae, inequalities, terms and factors..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Algebraic vocabulary.

• Algebraic vocabulary common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Higher only] Include identities within algebraic vocabulary and reasoning..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Algebraic vocabulary.

• Manipulating expressions common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions by collecting like terms, expanding a single term over a bracket, taking out common factors and using index laws..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Manipulating expressions.

• Manipulating expressions common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Expand products of two binomials and factorise quadratics of the form x^2 + bx + c where appropriate..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Manipulating expressions.

• Manipulating expressions common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Higher only] Manipulate expressions involving surds and algebraic fractions, expand products of two or more binomials and factorise quadratics of the form ax^2 + bx + c..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Manipulating expressions.

• Formulae and rearranging common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Understand and use standard mathematical formulae, including formulae written in words and symbols..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Formulae and rearranging.

• Formulae and rearranging common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Rearrange formulae to change the subject..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Formulae and rearranging.

• Identities and algebraic proof common mistake 1

  Writing a final answer without showing the method that justifies it. This can weaken answers for: [Foundation and Higher] Know the difference between an equation and an identity..

  Fix itShow the method first, then give the final answer in the required form. Apply this directly to Identities and algebraic proof.