When you start learning algebra in Year 12, there are some important ideas that you need to get right. Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Variables and Constants:

   • Variables are letters like $x$ and $y$ that stand for unknown numbers.
   • Constants are regular numbers like 2 or -5 that don’t change.

2. Algebraic Expressions:

   • Get used to putting together constants and variables. For example, $3x + 4$ is an expression.

3. Equations and Inequalities:

   • You need to learn how to solve equations, like $2x + 3 = 7$.
   • Also, you should understand inequalities, which show a range, like $x - 5 < 2$.

4. Polynomial Functions:

   • You should know about polynomials. For example, $f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 4$ is a polynomial function.

5. Factoring:

   • Learn how to factor polynomials. For instance, $x^2 - 5x + 6$ can be factored into $(x-2)(x-3)$.

6. Expanding:

   • Be able to expand expressions using the distributive property. For example, $a(b + c) = ab + ac$.

Getting these basics down will really help you as you move on to harder topics!