8th Class Maths: Algebraic Equations and Tips to Excel them

The 7th and 8th standards are one of the breakthrough years of a student’s life where they begin to get a clear idea about their future education goals. For most students, this is when they begin to seriously consider various subject choices for higher education. Mathematics seems to be one of the toughest choices for many of them. This may be because, in 8th class maths, students are solving more complicated and tricky problems. Nevertheless, the right approach and understanding can make all problems easy and learning maths an enjoyable process.

The 8th class maths mainly consists of lessons related to algebra and equations. Solving linear equations is not only an important but also a very interesting part of mathematics. While many students love it and find it intriguing, some may have a little trouble understanding the concepts. However, like every other chapter or lesson in mathematics, practice makes it easy and also enjoyable. Once you start practicing various maths questions for class 8, you slowly start to build your interest, and it would seem like puzzle-solving, making you more involved in it. Yet, this results from constant practice and a clear understanding of the subject, be it 8th standard maths algebra or any other subject. Constant practice, clear concepts, the right guidance and understanding can lead any student from fearing a subject to loving a subject. This will be explained more clearly when we talk about some effective teaching strategies for improving algebra knowledge in ‘class 8 maths’ students.

Algebra: An important concept for 8th class maths students

For now, as most of the syllabus in the 8th class maths book contains algebra lessons, let us briefly focus on algebra, being an important concept in mathematics and what are some of the ways to learn it better and effectively. Also, this will be an important unit in mathematics when students appear for their higher studies exams. Therefore, developing a strong base right from the early classes is very important.

The concept of algebra is very integral to the entire mathematics system. It is a key element of mathematics where various letters or symbols, often called variables, represent different quantities in equations and formulas. These variables are used to find out various answers by applying logic, theories and various concepts. It encompasses everything from the basic equation resolution to the study of abstractions, including rings, groups and fields, making algebra an imperative part of mathematics.

The study of Algebra revolves around various algebraic formulas in 8th standard. These formulas or algebraic identities that students learn in ‘class 8th maths’ lay the foundation to solve complicated and tricky equations in the higher classes. As mentioned, it may look a little intimidating at first, but with practice and understanding, you will start to love solving algebraic equations. All it needs is practice, the right approach and an organized way of solving the equation step-by-step. Once you are thorough with the algebraic formulas or identities, you’ll start using them in maths questions for class 8 by applying your logic. Slowly, you’ll develop an understanding of where and how to use various formulas in various questions. ‘8th standard maths algebra’ introduces students to the application of many of these algebraic equations and hence is an important part of mathematical studies.

Solving in the right order

Like many other things, the hardest part in solving algebra as a beginner is to know where to begin with. However, students and teachers seem smart for a long time now, and for every tricky thing, they have come up with an easy way to remember. Fortunately, there is one such trick to remember the order for solving the algebra equations. The trick is an abbreviated form of the order of solving the equations, which reads as PEMDAS.

The full form or the order this abbreviation stands for is as follows: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction. This means students should start doing operations or solving Parentheses first, moving ahead with solving the exponents, then multiplication, followed by division, addition and subtraction operations. The sequence of operations in algebra is essential because actions in the wrong sequence may get you to the wrong answer. This is one of the basic yet important things that students must remember while solving the ‘8th maths question paper’.

Solving the negative numbers correctly

The use of negative numbers is common in algebra. Therefore, it is advisable to clarify how to perform basic operations like addition, multiplication, subtraction and division on negative numbers before solving 8th standard maths algebra. While these concepts and rules are taught in earlier classes, let us have a quick recap and review to help you get it clear and recall the concepts. Some negative number concepts are as follows:

• A number line’s negative form has the same distance from zero as the positive version but in the opposite direction.
• Together, the addition of two negative integers makes a higher negative number that means the digits will be higher, but since the number is negative, it is referred to as lower.
• Two negative signs cancel each other out.
• If you subtract two negative numbers, it will be the same as adding two positive numbers.
• When you multiply or divide two negative numbers, you get a positive number.
• When you multiply or divide a negative number with a positive number, you get a negative number.

All these concepts are already well-taught to 8th class maths students in previous grades. Therefore, learning maths is a continuous process, and one learns it step by step, each level teaching them important concepts that would be very useful in higher classes.

Stay organized while solving

Solving simple class 8 maths algebra problems can be easy and fast; however, you might need to hold your patience and organization for many steps for the complicated ones. Here’s a quick trick, to avoid making errors that are hard to find out, start writing every next step from a new line. If the equation is two-sided, try to write all the “=” signs one below the other in a line. This will make your solution more clear and clean and will help in avoiding confusion. Also, if you make an error, it will be easy to find out in this case to correct it.

Understanding recurring variables

Simplify the variables if a variable appears more than once. Confused about what to do if the same variable comes into the equation multiple times? Though this may appear difficult to fix, in practice, you may treat variables just as normal digits, as long as you only merge variables that are the same by adding them, subtracting them, etc.

Start with taking examples from solved problems.

Compared to basic mathematics, algebraic work sometimes involves students thinking more abstractly. Algebraic thinking necessitates that students concurrently process numerous complicated information pieces, which can impede the ability of students to create new knowledge. Solved solutions can help students perceive the problem and numerous solution stages without doing every step manually. This lessens the load of abstract thinking and helps in getting hold of the order and concept.

Strengthening mathematical skills in 8th standard

Apart from algebra, the “8th class maths” book also consists of other chapters that help improve and strengthen mathematical skills in students with various maths questions for class 8. The chapters apart from algebra include Rational Numbers, Understanding Quadrilaterals, Practical Geometry, Data Handling, Squares and square roots, cubes and cube roots, Comparing Quantities, Mensuration, Direct and Inverse Proportions, Factorization, Graphs and Exponents and powers. This all combines to make the 8th maths question paper an intensively conceptual one.

To solve many arithmetic tasks, one can learn formulas and rules, but it does not guarantee that one knows the solution’s concept. This makes it tougher for issues to be resolved and almost difficult for new knowledge to be absorbed readily. Taking the time to understand how a solution works greatly enhances your mathematical abilities.

Here’s a little thing that parents can do to strengthen the mathematical skills of their child. Encourage your kids to inquire, examine and explore any potential solutions for the given questions. Encourage them not to give up until the problem is resolved.  Call your kids to mathematice everyday circumstances and occurrences. Involve your child in simple or everyday tasks which require effective mathematics and encourage them to play an active role in solving the problem.