Grade 8 Theory Booklet
Grade 8 Theory Booklet
Grade 8
Mathematic
Booklet
Name: ___________________
8__
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Contents
NB: Please ensure that you understand all of the terminology used here because you may not
understand the explanations given below if you do not know & understand the terminology.
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PARALLEL LINES
Parallel Lines are lines that stay equidistant, the same distance apart, no matter how long the lines are
(they are lines that will never meet).
Parallel lines are a given when two arrows facing the same direction are present in the diagram as
shown above.
The line seen going through the two parallel lines above is known as a “traversal”. There are many ways
that a traversal can bisect parallel lines and there are techniques we can use to calculate the angle that
is created by this traversal.
REMEMBER ! !
Corresponding Angles are equal
Alternate Angles are equal
Interior Angles are supplementary (add up to 180°)
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STRAIGHT LINES
A straight line has a supplementary angle, it is a 180° angle. Any lines that bisect a straight line will
create angles that will add up to 180°.
ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
TERMINOLGY
Term – A single mathematical expression
Algebraic expression – A combination of terms by the operations of addition, subtraction, division
and/or multiplication
Variable: A letter used to represent an unknown quantity
Co-efficient – The number that is found in front of the variable that acts as a multiplication factor. It can
be positive/negative
Constant: A fixed number that is on its own
Degree of an expression: The same number as the highest exponent found in an expression
Monomial – An expression with 1 term
Binomial – An expression with 2 terms
Trinomial – An expression with 3 terms
Polynomial – An expression with 4 or more terms
NB: 2x + 7y -> two terms
2x/7y OR 2x (7y) -> one term
Like-terms: terms that have the same variable e.g. 2xy & -5xy
2. COLUMN METHOD
Step 1: Write all the expressions one below the other. Make sure to like terms in one column.
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If there a term whose like term is not there in the second expression, for example, then either write
below it or leave that column blank.
Step 2: Add the numerical coefficient of each column (like terms) and write below it in the same column
followed by the common variable.
Step 3: Rewrite the final answer
1. HORIZONTAL METHOD
Step 1: Write all the expressions in a horizontal line by putting them into brackets and put subtraction
signs in between. ALWAYS START WITH THE EXPRESSION AFTER THE WORD ‘FROM’.
(2x2–3x -4y+7) - (5x+4y+3)
Step 2: Remove the minus sign by distributing it to the expression after the minus sign then group all
the like terms together from all the expressions and rewrite it in a single expression.
(2x2–3x -4y+7-5x-4y-3)
Step 4: Rewrite the simplified expression, and make sure all the terms in the final answer are unlike
terms.
2x2-2x-8y+10
2. COLUMN METHOD
Step 1: Write both expressions one below the other. Make sure you have written like terms in one
column. If there is a term whose like term is not there in the second expression, for example, 2x2, then
either write below it or leave that column blank.
Step 2: Change the operators in the last row (second expression), for example, (+) to (-) and (-) to (+).
Step 3: Consider the changed signs and add the numerical coefficient of each column (like terms) and
write below it in the same column followed by the common variable.
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Tables
The graph that we will focus on is the straight line graph show as:
(1) x + 12 = 4
x = 4 – 12
x = -8
(2) x – 7 = 3
x = 3 +7
x = 10
- Moving terms that contain multiplication/division operations will result in a change of operation as
the term moves across the equal sign. e.g.
(1) 12x = 24
24
x=
12
x=2
𝑥
(2) =2
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x = 2(5)
x = 10
- When trying to find a variable or a base as an exponent, simplify the RHS to make it a base with an
exponent such that it matches the RHS. e.g.
(1) 3x = 27
3x = 33
x=3
(2) x3 = 8
x 3 = 23
x=2
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TRIANGLES
CLASSIFICATION OF TRIANGLES
There are 3 types of triangles you will come across:
1. Equilateral Triangle - If all the sides have the same length (∆ABC)
2. Isosceles Triangle - If two of the sides have the same length (∆DEF)
3. Scalene Triangle - If all the sides have different lengths (∆JKL)
You may also find these types of triangles named after their respective angles:
PROPETIES OF TRIANGLES:
- The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°
- An equilateral triangle has all sides equal and each interior angle is equal to 60°
- An isosceles triangle has two equal sides and the angles opposite the equal sides are equal
- A scalene triangle has no sides equal
- A right-angled triangle has a right angle (90°)
- An obtuse triangle has one obtuse angle (between 90° and 180°)
- An acute triangle has three acute angles (< 90°)
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According to the Exterior Angle property of a triangle theorem, the sum of measures of ∠ABC and ∠CAB
would be equal to the exterior angle ∠ACD.
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(2) Angle b & and angle with size 130° form a straight line. Calculate the size of a & b.
The easiest way to solve for this would be to find
b using the straight line angle & then finding a
using the exterior angle of ∆ theorem.
b = 180° - 130° [str. line]
= 50°
50° = a + 30° [ext. ∠ of ∆]
a = 50° - 30°
= 20°