6.AT.7 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 1

Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Pick up where we left off

Name: Date: Group:

Where we left off

Our goal: I can simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.

The big idea: Only combine terms that have the same variable part; numbers without a variable combine with each other — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.

Model to copy — Watch me

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

Start here

You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.

  1. 1

    Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.

    Try it together — then prove it: Let's simplify 5x + 3x. Are these like terms? Yes, both have x, so we add the numbers in front: 5 + 3 = 8. So 5x + 3x = 8x. Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.
    Show your work
  2. 2

    Warm restartExpand 5(x + 3).

    1. A5x + 15
    2. B5x + 3
    3. Cx + 15
    4. D8x

    How do you know?

  3. 3

    Warm restartWhich shows 6n + 18 factored using its GREATEST common factor?

    1. A6(n + 3)
    2. B3(2n + 6)
    3. C2(3n + 9)
    4. D6(n + 18)

    How do you know?

  4. 4

    Warm restartExpand 4(2y − 5).

    1. A8y − 20
    2. B8y − 5
    3. C6y − 20
    4. D2y − 20

    How do you know?

6.15 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 1 of 4
6.AT.7 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 2

Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Keep going

You answered these out loud. Now write them.

Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.

  1. 5

    Think it throughSimplify (8m + 5) + (3m + 7) + (4m + 2).

    1. A15m + 14
    2. B15m + 15
    3. C29m
    4. D12m + 17

    Why is that the answer?

  2. 6

    Think it throughWhat does the 15m tell the festival?

    1. A15 cables are needed for every microphone
    2. BThere are 15 microphones
    3. C15 stages need cables
    4. DThe cables cost $15

    How do you know? Give a second reason as well.

  3. 7

    Think it throughIf each stage has 4 microphones (m = 4), how many cables in total?

    1. A74
    2. B60
    3. C64
    4. D29

    Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?

  4. 8

    Back to the modelWhat rule determines whether two terms are 'like terms'? Why can't you combine unlike terms?

6.15 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 2 of 4
6.AT.7 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 3

Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Words and reasoning

Word bank · Banco de palabras

Simplify Algebraic Expressions (Simplificar expresiones algebraicas)Like Terms (Términos semejantes)Combine (Combinar)Simplify (Simplificar)Coefficient (Coeficiente)Term (Término)Distributive property (Propiedad distributiva)

Use the words

Fill each blank with a word from the bank.

Explain the thinking

  1. 9

    Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.

    The mistake: 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.
  2. 10

    Say moreTo simplify 6x + 4 + 2x + 7, which are the like terms, and how do you combine them?

  3. 11

    Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: A studio order lists the same equipment two different ways. On the left it is written out item by item — microphone, microphone, stand, microphone, stand. On the right the same gear is grouped together — 3 microphones and 2 stands.

    Show your work
6.15 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 3 of 4
6.AT.7 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 4

Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Show what you know

Last check

These two come from Lesson 6.14. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.

  1. 12

    Show what you knowExplain your thinking — Simplify 6x + 3 + 2x + 5.

    1. A8x + 8
    2. B8x² + 8
    3. C62x + 35
    4. D16x

    Explain your choice.

  2. 13

    From Lesson 6.14Explain your thinking — Which expression is equivalent to 7(x + 3)?

    1. A7x + 21
    2. B7x + 3
    3. Cx + 21
    4. D7x + 10

    How do you know?

  3. 14

    From Lesson 6.14A student wrote 8(12 + 9) = 8 × 12 + 9 = 105. What went wrong?

    1. AThey forgot to multiply the 9 by 8 as well
    2. BThey added instead of multiplying
    3. CThey used the wrong prices
    4. DThey distributed too many times

    How do you know?

Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next

I can…Not yetGetting thereGot it
I can simplify algebraic expressions by combining like terms, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
I can explain why it works: Only combine terms that have the same variable part; numbers without a variable combine with each other…
I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation.

One question I want to ask my group next time