standard_description: Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.
problem_activity: Activity
In this activity students continue the work of generating equivalent expressions as they decide where to place a set of parentheses and explore how that placement affects the expressions.
Launch
Arrange students in groups of 2. Tell students to first complete both questions independently. Then, trade one of their expressions with their partner. The partner’s job is to decide whether the new expression is equivalent to the original or not, and explain how they know.
Student Facing
Diego was taking a math quiz. There was a question on the quiz that had the expression
\(8x - 9 - 12x + 5\)
. Diego’s teacher told the class there was a typo and the expression was supposed to have one set of parentheses in it.
Where could you put parentheses in
\(8x - 9 - 12x + 5\)
to make a new expression that is still equivalent to the original expression? How do you know that your new expression is equivalent?
Where could you put parentheses in
\(8x - 9 - 12x + 5\)
to make a new expression that is not equivalent to the original expression? List as many different answers as you can.
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Student Response.
Anticipated Misconceptions
Students may not realize that they can break up a term and place a parentheses, for example, between the 8 and
\(x\)
in the term
\(8x\)
. Clarify that they may place the parentheses anywhere in the expression.
Activity Synthesis
Questions for discussion:
“How can you write the original expression in different ways with fewer terms?” (
\(\text-4x-4\)
,
\(\text-4(x+1)\)
,
\(4(-x-1)\)
)
“Where did you place the parentheses to create an equivalent expression?”
“Share other ways you placed parentheses and the resulting expression with fewer terms.”
Representation: Develop Language and Symbols.
Create a display of important terms and vocabulary.  Include the following terms and maintain the display for reference throughout the unit: parenthesis. The display should include examples of how to create equivalent expressions using parentheses by breaking up the components. Be sure to emphasize how the placement of the parentheses affects the expression.
Supports accessibility for: Memory; Language
Speaking, Writing: MLR8 Discussion Supports.
When students interpret the new expression they receive, ask students to press their partner for more details in their explanations by challenging an idea, or asking for an example. Listen for, and amplify language students use to describe how the parentheses influence the resulting expression with fewer terms. This will help call students' attention to the types of details and language to look for to determine if an expression is equivalent to another or not.
Design Principle(s): Maximize meta-awareness; Support sense-making


aligns: no