CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-SSE.B
The standard
Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · High School — Algebra
What this standard means
Students need to rewrite algebraic expressions into forms that make a problem easier to solve or understand. That may mean factoring, expanding, completing the square, or rewriting with exponents and radicals. The goal is not symbol pushing. The new form should reveal something useful, like a zero, a maximum value, a growth rate, or a starting amount.
Mastery looks like choosing a useful form and explaining why it helps. Students often get stuck because they know procedures but do not connect each form to a purpose. They may factor correctly but not use the factors, or expand when factored form would answer the question faster.
Ways to teach it
- Give students cards with expressions and questions, then have them match each to the most useful form, factored, expanded, or vertex form.
- Ask students to explain which form of a quadratic best shows the x-intercepts, the y-intercept, and the maximum or minimum.
- Use an exit ticket with one expression and two questions, asking students to rewrite it differently for each question.
- Connect to profit by having students rewrite a quadratic revenue expression to find break-even points and maximum revenue.
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.A.2
Understand that rewriting an expression in different forms in a problem context can shed light on the problem and how the quantities in it are related.
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.2
Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3
Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.
- CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.A
Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.