Florida B.E.S.T. MA.7.AR.1.1
The Standard
Apply properties of operations to add and subtract linear expressions with rational coefficients.
Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students simplify sums and differences of linear expressions that include fractions, decimals, and negative numbers. They distribute signs, combine like terms, and check that two forms have equal values.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly simplify expressions with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and negative coefficients. They show each sign change and can verify equivalence by substituting the same value into both expressions.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often combine unlike terms, such as 3x and 4, to get 7x. They may distribute a minus sign to only the first term or make errors when adding fractions and decimals.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Simplify (3/4x - 2.5) - (1/2x + 1.5) + (0.25x - 1), then verify your result when x = 4.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students variable and constant term cards with fractional coefficients, then have them physically group like terms and combine each group.
Ask students to explain why subtracting (2x - 3) changes both signs, using words, symbols, and one numerical check.
Play Expression Match, where students pair unsimplified expressions with equivalent simplified forms and justify each match to a partner.
Write and simplify the difference between taxi fares 2.50 + 1.75m and 4.00 + 1.25m after m miles.
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Printable MA.7.AR.1.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to MA.7.AR.1.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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Related Standards
- MA.912.AR.1.3
Add, subtract and multiply polynomial expressions with rational number coefficients.
- MA.6.AR.1.4
Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent algebraic expressions with integer coefficients.
- MA.8.AR.1.2
Apply properties of operations to multiply two linear expressions with rational coefficients.
- MA.912.AR.1.9
Apply previous understanding of rational number operations to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational algebraic expressions.
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