6.15 Small Group · Group 1

Second Practice Form · Re-Teach, Homework or Retake · Same Standard, New Problems

Simplify Algebraic Expressions · Like Terms · Procedural Fluency · Reasoning & Critique

Name: Date: Period: Learning Goal:

■ CONCEPT SUMMARY & GUIDED NOTES: Let's build it together — How do we simplify by combining like terms?

1Only combine terms that have the same variable part; numbers without a variable combine with each other.

Like terms are terms with the same variable, like 2x and 5x. To simplify an expression, you add or subtract the like terms to make it shorter. We'll walk through a worked example, try one together, then you'll try a few with hints right there when you need them.

2Worked Example — Watch me

The rooms need microphones and stands: (4 + 2 + 6) microphones and (3 + 5 + 1) stands.
Microphones are like items, so I add: 4 + 2 + 6 = 12 microphones.
Stands are like items, so I add: 3 + 5 + 1 = 9 stands.
In algebra this is the same as 4m + 2m + 6m + 3s + 5s + 1s = 12m + 9s.

3Mathematical Word Bank

Simplify Algebraic Expressions (Simplificar expresiones algebraicas) — Rewrite an expression in a shorter equivalent form by combining like terms and using properties.
Like Terms (Términos semejantes) — Terms with the same letter raised to the same power, like 2x and 5x.
Combine (Combinar) — To add or subtract terms with the same letter into one.
Simplify (Simplificar) — To rewrite an expression in a shorter form that is still equal to the original.
Coefficient (Coeficiente) — The number in front of a letter, like the 3 in 3x.
Term (Término) — A single number, variable, or product of them, separated by + or − signs.

4Watch out

A common mistake in Simplify Algebraic Expressions is sweeping a constant into the variable terms — for example, simplifying 6x + 4 + 2x as 12x by adding all three numbers (6 + 4 + 2 = 12) instead of recognizing that 4 has no variable and cannot combine with 6x and 2x. The correct simplified expression is 8x + 4 (combine 6x + 2x = 8x, and let the 4 stay on its own). Before you submit, check that every term you combined has the exact same variable part.

SECTION 1 REAL-WORLD CONTEXTS & PROBLEM SOLVING [Applications]

SECTION 2 MATHEMATICAL WRITING & ERROR ANALYSIS [Reasoning & Critique]

📐 CER MATHEMATICAL PROOF MATRIX (CER 2.0) SMP.3 / Proof & Justification

Writing Task: Justify why your mathematical solution is accurate and complete.

C Claim

Starter: My mathematical claim is that the solution is...

E Evidence

Starter: The evidence from the model/table demonstrates that...

R Reasoning

Starter: This proves my answer because the standard mathematical definition of...

Student Mastery Self-Assessment:

1 · Need More Support

2 · Getting Closer

3 · Got It / Solid

4 · Master / Can Teach It