Equivalent expressions I

Equivalent expressions I

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
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Further Resources
This task is about simplifying algebraic expressions.
a) The expression 3a × 4b is equal to (Circle one)
  
  (A) 7ab 
 		 (B) 12ab  (C) 12ab   (D) 12ba  (E) 7(a + b) 
(F) 12(a + b) 
 
 
b) The expression 7p - 4p is equal to (Circle one)
 
  (A) 3p
 		 (B) 11p  (C) 28p (D) 3p2 (E) 11p2 
(F) 28p2
 
 
c) The expression 5m + 3m is equal to (Circle one)
 
  (A) 8m
 		 (B) 15m (C) 8m2 (D) 15m2 (E) 8mm
(F) 15mm
 
 
d) The expression 8t ÷ 4t is equal to (Circle one)
 
  (A) 2t
  		 (B) 2t2 (C) 2tt (D) 2 ÷ t (E) 2  
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Equations and expressions
Keywords: 
algebraic expressions, simplify
Description of task: 
Students select the correct simplifications for algebraic expressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Using symbols and expressions to think mathematically, sets 6-7
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 (10/2000)

a)

B

very easy

b)

A

very easy

c)

A

easy

d)

E

difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
  

Common error

Likely reason

d)

A

Does not "cancel" the t, i.e., uses = t instead of = 1.