NCERT Textbook: Algebra | Mathematics (Maths) Class 6 PDF Download

 Page 1


Our study so far has been with numbers and shapes. We have learnt numbers,
operations on numbers and properties of numbers. We applied our knowledge
of numbers to various problems in our life. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied numbers is arithmetic. We have also learnt about figures in
two and three dimensions and their properties. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied shapes is geometry. Now we begin the study of another
branch of mathematics. It is called algebra.
The main feature of the new branch which we are going to study is the use
of letters. Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas in a general
way. By using letters, we can talk about any number and not just a particular
number. Secondly, letters may stand for unknown quantities. By learning
methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving
puzzles and many problems from daily life. Thirdly, since letters stand for
numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to
the study of algebraic expressions and their properties.
You will find algebra interesting and useful. It is very useful in solving
problems. Let us begin our study with simple examples.
11.2 Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita are making patterns with matchsticks. They decide to make
simple patterns of the letters of the English alphabet. Ameena takes two
matchsticks and forms the letter L as shown in Fig 11.1 (a).
11.1 Introduction
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Algebra Algebra
Algebra Algebra Algebra
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 2


Our study so far has been with numbers and shapes. We have learnt numbers,
operations on numbers and properties of numbers. We applied our knowledge
of numbers to various problems in our life. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied numbers is arithmetic. We have also learnt about figures in
two and three dimensions and their properties. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied shapes is geometry. Now we begin the study of another
branch of mathematics. It is called algebra.
The main feature of the new branch which we are going to study is the use
of letters. Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas in a general
way. By using letters, we can talk about any number and not just a particular
number. Secondly, letters may stand for unknown quantities. By learning
methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving
puzzles and many problems from daily life. Thirdly, since letters stand for
numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to
the study of algebraic expressions and their properties.
You will find algebra interesting and useful. It is very useful in solving
problems. Let us begin our study with simple examples.
11.2 Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita are making patterns with matchsticks. They decide to make
simple patterns of the letters of the English alphabet. Ameena takes two
matchsticks and forms the letter L as shown in Fig 11.1 (a).
11.1 Introduction
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Algebra Algebra
Algebra Algebra Algebra
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
170
Then Sarita also picks two sticks, forms another letter L and puts it next to
the one made by Ameena [Fig 11.1 (b)].
Then Ameena adds one more L and this goes on as shown by the dots in
Fig 11.1 (c).
Their friend Appu comes in. He looks at the pattern. Appu always asks
questions. He asks the girls, “How many matchsticks will be required to make
seven Ls”? Ameena and Sarita are systematic. They go on forming the patterns
with 1L, 2Ls, 3Ls, and so on and prepare a table.
Table 1
Appu gets the answer to his question from the Table 1; 7Ls require 14
matchsticks.
While writing the table, Ameena realises that the number
of matchsticks required is twice the number of Ls formed.
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × number of Ls.
For convenience, let us write the letter n for the number of
Ls. If one L is made, n 
=
 1; if two Ls are
made, n = 2 and so on; thus, n can be any
natural number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .... W e then write,
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × n.
Instead of writing 2 
×
 n, we write 2n. Note
that 2n is same as 2 
×
 n.
Ameena tells her friends that her rule
gives the number of matchsticks required for
forming any number of Ls.
Thus, For n 
=
 1, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2
 ×
 1 
=
 2
For n = 2, the number of matchsticks required = 2 × 2 = 4
For n 
=
 3, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × 3 
=
 6 etc.
These numbers agree with those from Table 1.
Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... ....
Ls formed
Number of 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 .... ....
matchsticks
required
..........
Fig 11.1
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 3


Our study so far has been with numbers and shapes. We have learnt numbers,
operations on numbers and properties of numbers. We applied our knowledge
of numbers to various problems in our life. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied numbers is arithmetic. We have also learnt about figures in
two and three dimensions and their properties. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied shapes is geometry. Now we begin the study of another
branch of mathematics. It is called algebra.
The main feature of the new branch which we are going to study is the use
of letters. Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas in a general
way. By using letters, we can talk about any number and not just a particular
number. Secondly, letters may stand for unknown quantities. By learning
methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving
puzzles and many problems from daily life. Thirdly, since letters stand for
numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to
the study of algebraic expressions and their properties.
You will find algebra interesting and useful. It is very useful in solving
problems. Let us begin our study with simple examples.
11.2 Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita are making patterns with matchsticks. They decide to make
simple patterns of the letters of the English alphabet. Ameena takes two
matchsticks and forms the letter L as shown in Fig 11.1 (a).
11.1 Introduction
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Algebra Algebra
Algebra Algebra Algebra
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
170
Then Sarita also picks two sticks, forms another letter L and puts it next to
the one made by Ameena [Fig 11.1 (b)].
Then Ameena adds one more L and this goes on as shown by the dots in
Fig 11.1 (c).
Their friend Appu comes in. He looks at the pattern. Appu always asks
questions. He asks the girls, “How many matchsticks will be required to make
seven Ls”? Ameena and Sarita are systematic. They go on forming the patterns
with 1L, 2Ls, 3Ls, and so on and prepare a table.
Table 1
Appu gets the answer to his question from the Table 1; 7Ls require 14
matchsticks.
While writing the table, Ameena realises that the number
of matchsticks required is twice the number of Ls formed.
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × number of Ls.
For convenience, let us write the letter n for the number of
Ls. If one L is made, n 
=
 1; if two Ls are
made, n = 2 and so on; thus, n can be any
natural number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .... W e then write,
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × n.
Instead of writing 2 
×
 n, we write 2n. Note
that 2n is same as 2 
×
 n.
Ameena tells her friends that her rule
gives the number of matchsticks required for
forming any number of Ls.
Thus, For n 
=
 1, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2
 ×
 1 
=
 2
For n = 2, the number of matchsticks required = 2 × 2 = 4
For n 
=
 3, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × 3 
=
 6 etc.
These numbers agree with those from Table 1.
Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... ....
Ls formed
Number of 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 .... ....
matchsticks
required
..........
Fig 11.1
Rationalised 2023-24
ALGEBRA
171
Sarita says, “The rule is very powerful! Using the rule, I can say how
many matchsticks are required to form even 100 Ls. I do not need to draw the
pattern or make a table, once the rule is known”.
Do you agree with Sarita?
11.3 The Idea of a Variable
In the above example, we found a rule to give the number of matchsticks
required to make a pattern of Ls. The rule was :
Number of matchsticks required = 2n
Here, n is the number of Ls in the pattern, and n takes values 1, 2, 3, 4,.... Let
us look at Table 1 once again. In the table, the value of n goes on changing
(increasing). As a result, the number of matchsticks required also goes on
changing (increasing).
n is an example of a variable. Its value is not fixed; it can take any value
1, 2, 3, 4, ... . We wrote the rule for the number of matchsticks required
using the variable n.
The word ‘variable’ means something that can vary, i.e. change. The value
of a variable is not fixed. It can take different values.
We shall look at another example of matchstick patterns to learn more
about variables.
11.4  More Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita have become quite interested in matchstick patterns. They
now want to try a pattern of the letter C. To make one C, they use three
matchsticks as shown in Fig. 11.2(a).
Table 2 gives the number of matchsticks required to make a pattern of Cs.
Table 2
Fig 11.2
Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... .... ....
of Cs formed
Number 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 .... .... ....
of matchsticks
required
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 4


Our study so far has been with numbers and shapes. We have learnt numbers,
operations on numbers and properties of numbers. We applied our knowledge
of numbers to various problems in our life. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied numbers is arithmetic. We have also learnt about figures in
two and three dimensions and their properties. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied shapes is geometry. Now we begin the study of another
branch of mathematics. It is called algebra.
The main feature of the new branch which we are going to study is the use
of letters. Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas in a general
way. By using letters, we can talk about any number and not just a particular
number. Secondly, letters may stand for unknown quantities. By learning
methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving
puzzles and many problems from daily life. Thirdly, since letters stand for
numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to
the study of algebraic expressions and their properties.
You will find algebra interesting and useful. It is very useful in solving
problems. Let us begin our study with simple examples.
11.2 Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita are making patterns with matchsticks. They decide to make
simple patterns of the letters of the English alphabet. Ameena takes two
matchsticks and forms the letter L as shown in Fig 11.1 (a).
11.1 Introduction
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Algebra Algebra
Algebra Algebra Algebra
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
170
Then Sarita also picks two sticks, forms another letter L and puts it next to
the one made by Ameena [Fig 11.1 (b)].
Then Ameena adds one more L and this goes on as shown by the dots in
Fig 11.1 (c).
Their friend Appu comes in. He looks at the pattern. Appu always asks
questions. He asks the girls, “How many matchsticks will be required to make
seven Ls”? Ameena and Sarita are systematic. They go on forming the patterns
with 1L, 2Ls, 3Ls, and so on and prepare a table.
Table 1
Appu gets the answer to his question from the Table 1; 7Ls require 14
matchsticks.
While writing the table, Ameena realises that the number
of matchsticks required is twice the number of Ls formed.
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × number of Ls.
For convenience, let us write the letter n for the number of
Ls. If one L is made, n 
=
 1; if two Ls are
made, n = 2 and so on; thus, n can be any
natural number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .... W e then write,
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × n.
Instead of writing 2 
×
 n, we write 2n. Note
that 2n is same as 2 
×
 n.
Ameena tells her friends that her rule
gives the number of matchsticks required for
forming any number of Ls.
Thus, For n 
=
 1, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2
 ×
 1 
=
 2
For n = 2, the number of matchsticks required = 2 × 2 = 4
For n 
=
 3, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × 3 
=
 6 etc.
These numbers agree with those from Table 1.
Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... ....
Ls formed
Number of 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 .... ....
matchsticks
required
..........
Fig 11.1
Rationalised 2023-24
ALGEBRA
171
Sarita says, “The rule is very powerful! Using the rule, I can say how
many matchsticks are required to form even 100 Ls. I do not need to draw the
pattern or make a table, once the rule is known”.
Do you agree with Sarita?
11.3 The Idea of a Variable
In the above example, we found a rule to give the number of matchsticks
required to make a pattern of Ls. The rule was :
Number of matchsticks required = 2n
Here, n is the number of Ls in the pattern, and n takes values 1, 2, 3, 4,.... Let
us look at Table 1 once again. In the table, the value of n goes on changing
(increasing). As a result, the number of matchsticks required also goes on
changing (increasing).
n is an example of a variable. Its value is not fixed; it can take any value
1, 2, 3, 4, ... . We wrote the rule for the number of matchsticks required
using the variable n.
The word ‘variable’ means something that can vary, i.e. change. The value
of a variable is not fixed. It can take different values.
We shall look at another example of matchstick patterns to learn more
about variables.
11.4  More Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita have become quite interested in matchstick patterns. They
now want to try a pattern of the letter C. To make one C, they use three
matchsticks as shown in Fig. 11.2(a).
Table 2 gives the number of matchsticks required to make a pattern of Cs.
Table 2
Fig 11.2
Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... .... ....
of Cs formed
Number 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 .... .... ....
of matchsticks
required
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
172
Can you complete the entries left blank in the table?
Sarita comes up with the rule :
Number of matchsticks required = 3n
She has used the letter n for the number of Cs; n is a variable taking on values
1, 2, 3, 4, ...
Do you agree with Sarita ?
Remember 3n is the same as 3 × n.
Next, Ameena and Sarita wish to make a pattern of Fs. They make one F
using 4 matchsticks as shown in Fig 11.3(a).
Can you now write the rule for making patterns of F?
Think of other letters of the alphabet and other shapes that can be made
from matchsticks. For example, U ( ), V ( ), triangle ( ), square ( ) etc.
Choose any five and write the rules for making matchstick patterns with them.
11.5 More Examples of Variables
We have used the letter n to show a variable. Raju asks, “Why not m”?
There is nothing special about n, any letter can be used.
One may use any letter as m, l, p, x, y, z etc. to show
a variable. Remember, a variable is a number which
does not have a fixed value. For example, the number
5 or the number 100 or any other given number is
not a variable. They have fixed values. Similarly, the
number of angles of a triangle has a fixed value i.e. 3.
It is not a variable. The number of corners of a
quadrilateral (4) is fixed; it is also not a variable.
But n in the examples we have looked is a variable.
It takes on various values 1, 2, 3, 4, ... .
Fig 11.3
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 5


Our study so far has been with numbers and shapes. We have learnt numbers,
operations on numbers and properties of numbers. We applied our knowledge
of numbers to various problems in our life. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied numbers is arithmetic. We have also learnt about figures in
two and three dimensions and their properties. The branch of mathematics in
which we studied shapes is geometry. Now we begin the study of another
branch of mathematics. It is called algebra.
The main feature of the new branch which we are going to study is the use
of letters. Use of letters will allow us to write rules and formulas in a general
way. By using letters, we can talk about any number and not just a particular
number. Secondly, letters may stand for unknown quantities. By learning
methods of determining unknowns, we develop powerful tools for solving
puzzles and many problems from daily life. Thirdly, since letters stand for
numbers, operations can be performed on them as on numbers. This leads to
the study of algebraic expressions and their properties.
You will find algebra interesting and useful. It is very useful in solving
problems. Let us begin our study with simple examples.
11.2 Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita are making patterns with matchsticks. They decide to make
simple patterns of the letters of the English alphabet. Ameena takes two
matchsticks and forms the letter L as shown in Fig 11.1 (a).
11.1 Introduction
Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Algebra Algebra
Algebra Algebra Algebra
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
170
Then Sarita also picks two sticks, forms another letter L and puts it next to
the one made by Ameena [Fig 11.1 (b)].
Then Ameena adds one more L and this goes on as shown by the dots in
Fig 11.1 (c).
Their friend Appu comes in. He looks at the pattern. Appu always asks
questions. He asks the girls, “How many matchsticks will be required to make
seven Ls”? Ameena and Sarita are systematic. They go on forming the patterns
with 1L, 2Ls, 3Ls, and so on and prepare a table.
Table 1
Appu gets the answer to his question from the Table 1; 7Ls require 14
matchsticks.
While writing the table, Ameena realises that the number
of matchsticks required is twice the number of Ls formed.
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × number of Ls.
For convenience, let us write the letter n for the number of
Ls. If one L is made, n 
=
 1; if two Ls are
made, n = 2 and so on; thus, n can be any
natural number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .... W e then write,
Number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × n.
Instead of writing 2 
×
 n, we write 2n. Note
that 2n is same as 2 
×
 n.
Ameena tells her friends that her rule
gives the number of matchsticks required for
forming any number of Ls.
Thus, For n 
=
 1, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2
 ×
 1 
=
 2
For n = 2, the number of matchsticks required = 2 × 2 = 4
For n 
=
 3, the number of matchsticks required 
=
 2 × 3 
=
 6 etc.
These numbers agree with those from Table 1.
Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... ....
Ls formed
Number of 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 .... ....
matchsticks
required
..........
Fig 11.1
Rationalised 2023-24
ALGEBRA
171
Sarita says, “The rule is very powerful! Using the rule, I can say how
many matchsticks are required to form even 100 Ls. I do not need to draw the
pattern or make a table, once the rule is known”.
Do you agree with Sarita?
11.3 The Idea of a Variable
In the above example, we found a rule to give the number of matchsticks
required to make a pattern of Ls. The rule was :
Number of matchsticks required = 2n
Here, n is the number of Ls in the pattern, and n takes values 1, 2, 3, 4,.... Let
us look at Table 1 once again. In the table, the value of n goes on changing
(increasing). As a result, the number of matchsticks required also goes on
changing (increasing).
n is an example of a variable. Its value is not fixed; it can take any value
1, 2, 3, 4, ... . We wrote the rule for the number of matchsticks required
using the variable n.
The word ‘variable’ means something that can vary, i.e. change. The value
of a variable is not fixed. It can take different values.
We shall look at another example of matchstick patterns to learn more
about variables.
11.4  More Matchstick Patterns
Ameena and Sarita have become quite interested in matchstick patterns. They
now want to try a pattern of the letter C. To make one C, they use three
matchsticks as shown in Fig. 11.2(a).
Table 2 gives the number of matchsticks required to make a pattern of Cs.
Table 2
Fig 11.2
Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 .... .... ....
of Cs formed
Number 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 .... .... ....
of matchsticks
required
Rationalised 2023-24
MATHEMATICS
172
Can you complete the entries left blank in the table?
Sarita comes up with the rule :
Number of matchsticks required = 3n
She has used the letter n for the number of Cs; n is a variable taking on values
1, 2, 3, 4, ...
Do you agree with Sarita ?
Remember 3n is the same as 3 × n.
Next, Ameena and Sarita wish to make a pattern of Fs. They make one F
using 4 matchsticks as shown in Fig 11.3(a).
Can you now write the rule for making patterns of F?
Think of other letters of the alphabet and other shapes that can be made
from matchsticks. For example, U ( ), V ( ), triangle ( ), square ( ) etc.
Choose any five and write the rules for making matchstick patterns with them.
11.5 More Examples of Variables
We have used the letter n to show a variable. Raju asks, “Why not m”?
There is nothing special about n, any letter can be used.
One may use any letter as m, l, p, x, y, z etc. to show
a variable. Remember, a variable is a number which
does not have a fixed value. For example, the number
5 or the number 100 or any other given number is
not a variable. They have fixed values. Similarly, the
number of angles of a triangle has a fixed value i.e. 3.
It is not a variable. The number of corners of a
quadrilateral (4) is fixed; it is also not a variable.
But n in the examples we have looked is a variable.
It takes on various values 1, 2, 3, 4, ... .
Fig 11.3
Rationalised 2023-24
ALGEBRA
173
Fig 11.4
Let us now consider variables in a more
familiar situation.
Students went to buy notebooks from the
school bookstore. Price of one notebook is
` 5. Munnu wants to buy 5 notebooks, Appu wants
to buy 7 notebooks, Sara wants to buy 4
notebooks and so on. How much money should
a student carry when she or he goes to the
bookstore to buy notebooks?
This will depend on how many notebooks the student wants to buy. The
students work together to prepare a table.
Table 3
The letter m stands for the number of notebooks a student wants to buy; m
is a variable, which can take any value 1, 2, 3, 4, ... . The total cost of m
notebooks is given by the rule :
The total cost in rupees = 5 × number of note books required
= 5m
If Munnu wants to buy 5
notebooks, then taking m = 5, we say
that Munnu should carry
` 5 × 5 or ` 25 with him to the school
bookstore.
Let us take one more example. For
the Republic Day celebration in the
school, children are going to perform
mass drill in the presence of the chief
guest. They stand 10 in a row (Fig
11.4). How many children can there
be in the drill?
The number of children will
depend on the number of rows. If
there is 1 row, there will be 10 children. If there are 2 rows, there will be
2 × 10 or 20 children and so on. If there are r rows, there will be 10r children
Number of 1 2 3 4 5 ..... m .....
notebooks
required
Total cost 5 10 15 20 25 ..... 5m .....
in rupees
Rationalised 2023-24