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Building Algebraic Expressions

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Building Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic expressions illustration

🎯 WALT: Construct simple algebraic expressions from real-life contexts

📚 Part 1: Understanding Variables and Constants

1. Circle the variables and underline the constants in these expressions:

a) 3x + 7

b) 5 + n

c) 2y - 4

2. Which of these represents "5 more than a number n"?

5n

n + 5

n - 5

5 - n

3. Sarah has some stickers (s) and buys 8 more. Which expression shows her total stickers?

8s

s + 8

s - 8

8 - s

✏️ Part 2: Writing Expressions from Real-Life Situations

4. Write an algebraic expression for each situation:

a) James has p pencils and gives away 3 of them.

Expression: _______________

b) There are 6 boxes, each containing m marbles.

Expression: _______________

c) Lucy saves $12 each week for w weeks.

Expression: _______________

5. A sports shop sells cricket bats for $45 each. Write an expression for the total cost of buying b cricket bats.
6. In a classroom, there are r rows of desks with 4 desks in each row, plus 2 extra desks at the back.

a) Write an expression for the total number of desks: _______________

b) Explain what each part of your expression represents:

🌟 Part 3: Challenge Questions

7. True or False? Using the commutative property, these expressions are equal:

a) 7 + x = x + 7 ___________

b) 3y = y × 3 ___________

c) 5 - n = n - 5 ___________

8. Extension: Create your own real-life scenario and write the algebraic expression.

Scenario:

Expression: _______________

9. Reflection: Explain in your own words what makes something a variable in an algebraic expression.

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