Algebra in Year 6 Children in Year 6 (10 -11 years old) are now expected to be able to use symbols and letters to represent variables; in other words they are introduced to algebra. We have just published two more sets of worksheets which are an excellent introduction to algebra. The first set looks at number sentences and how letters can be used. An important rule to remember is that both sides of the equal sign must be the same; otherwise they are not equal! If we do something to one side of the equation (e.g. the left side of the equals sign) we must also do the same to the other side (the right side). The second set looks more closely at the terms: variable, term and expression. Variable: a symbol or letter which stands for a number that we don’t know yet. I like to think of it as a number in disguise. Term: a number or a variable or numbers and variables multiplied together Expression: a group of terms (including + and – signs but not the whole number sentence so it does not include the equals sign) Go to Year 6 Algebra