CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.5
The standard
Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation or inequality true.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Expressions and Equations
What this standard means
Students need to test possible values in an equation or inequality by replacing the variable with each number and checking whether the statement is true. They are not solving with inverse operations yet. The focus is on substitution, careful arithmetic, and deciding whether each value works.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “If x is 4, then both sides are 11, so 4 is a solution,” or “7 makes the inequality false.” Common snags are forgetting the order of operations, treating the variable like a label, and thinking an inequality has only one answer.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on: Give pairs number cards and equation mats, then have them place each card into the variable spot and sort true or false.
- Prompt: Explain how you know whether 3 is a solution to 2x + 5 = 11 without saying, “I just solved it.”
- Quick check: List x = 0, 2, 5 for x + 4 > 6, and have students circle all values that work.
- Real-world connection: Test possible ticket counts in 4t + 3 ≤ 23 to find which group sizes fit a budget.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.5
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.B
Solve equations and inequalities in one variable
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.A
Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-REI.A.1
Explain each step in solving a simple equation as following from the equality of numbers asserted at the previous step, starting from the assumption that the or...
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B
Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.