Give this before the unit. It doesn't test solving equations itself. It checks the earlier skills that solving builds on, so you can see who is ready and what to review first. It isn't meant to be graded. The answer key, with what each part tells you and how to reteach it, prints on its own page after it.
Before we start: an equation is like a balance scale: both sides weigh the same. This page shows what you already know about missing numbers and expressions. It's fine if some of it is new. Try every question, show your thinking, and after each part circle how sure you feel.
Part A: Missing numbers 3.OA.A.4
1. + 7 = 12
2. 6 × = 42
3. The scale balances. What number is x?
x =
How sure do you feel? Not yetA littleI've got it
Part B: Order of operations 5.OA.A.1, 6.EE.A.2c
4. 3 + 4 × 2 =
5. 2(5 + 1) =
6. Find 3x + 2 when x = 4.
How sure do you feel? Not yetA littleI've got it
Part C: Parts of an expression 6.EE.A.2b, 6.EE.A.3
7. In 5x + 8, name the variable, the number multiplied by it, and the number on its own.
variable multiplied by on its own
8. Write each without parentheses or with fewer terms.
3(x + 2) = 4x + 2x = x + 5 + 3x − 1 =
How sure do you feel? Not yetA littleI've got it
Part D: Is it a solution? 6.EE.B.5
9. Is x = 3 a solution to 2x + 5 = 11? Show how you know.
Getting Ready to Solve Equations · for the teacher
5
7
x = 5 (5 + 4 = 9)
11 (multiply first)
12
3(4) + 2 = 14
variable x; multiplied by 5 (the coefficient); on its own 8 (the constant)
3x + 6; 6x; 4x + 4
Yes: 2(3) + 5 = 6 + 5 = 11
x = 4: 5(4) − 4 = 16
3
−6
−8
−14
What each part tells you
Part
Why it matters for this unit
If many students miss it
A: Missing numbers
One-step equations are missing-number problems with a letter.
Start with the balance picture: what keeps both sides equal?
B: Order of operations
Solving undoes the order of operations in reverse; checking uses it forward.
A quick review of multiply-before-add with a few warm-ups.
C: Expressions
Parts C and D of the worksheet need the distributive property and combining like terms.
Area models for 3(x + 2) and algebra tiles for combining terms.
D: Solutions
Every answer should be checked by substituting it back in.
Model "plug it in" with #9 before the first lesson.
E: Integers
Many equations have negative numbers or negative answers.
A number-line warm-up on adding and subtracting negatives.
Reading the results: students strong in Parts A, B and D can start with one- and two-step equations right away; Part C decides who is ready for Part D of the worksheet (the distributive property). Compare the “How sure do you feel?” circles with the answers: a student who circles “I've got it” but misses the part is worth a quick conversation.