ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to introduce the basic operations used in algebra. It focuses on the properties of real numbers and the basic manipulation of algebraic expressions, collecting algebraic expressions with like terms. Many teachers believe, either explicitly or implicitly, that some children may be born with mathematical aptitudes or mathematics genes, and others are not. Some teachers even believe that children from certain groups are blessed with superior mathematical ability. The mathematical interests and knowledge young children bring to school may indeed differ, but the causes are more likely to be their varying experiences, rather than their biological endowment. An algebraic expression is made up of the signs, or numbers, and letters, or symbols of algebra. It is also composed of terms which can be variable or constant. Variables are unknown values that may change within the scope of a given problem or set of operations.
