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Prealgebra / LEVEL 5 · DIFFICULTY 2/5

Expressions, Equations & Inequalities

Represent unknown quantities and justify each transformation.

3 stages · 24 practice problems · two 6-question assessment forms

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  1. MINI QUEST 5.1Expressions & SubstitutionRead the lesson
  2. MINI QUEST 5.2Solving & Checking Linear EquationsRead the lesson
  3. MINI QUEST 5.3Inequalities & Feasible ValuesRead the lesson
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STAGE 5.1 · 8 PRACTICE PROBLEMS · 2 NEW-CONTEXT APPLICATIONS

Expressions & Substitution

Useful preparation: Mixed Numbers & Fraction Powers

Goal: Build and evaluate expressions while combining only like terms.

Before you begin: Before starting, explain one example from each prerequisite. If an idea is unfamiliar, follow the prerequisite lesson links.

A variable holds a place for a quantity

An expression describes a calculation. It has a value once each variable is assigned a number; it is not an equation unless an equality is asserted.

3x + 4

Substitute with parentheses

Replace every occurrence of the variable. Parentheses preserve the signs and grouping when the replacement is negative or fractional.

x² at x = −3 is (−3)²

Like terms share a variable part

Combine coefficients only when the variable factors and exponents match. Distribution reveals the terms hidden in parentheses.

4x + 7x − 2 = 11x − 2
WORKED EXAMPLE 1

Evaluate 2x² − 3x at x = −2.

  1. Substitute: 2(−2)² − 3(−2).
  2. Calculate 8 + 6.

14

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

A ride costs 6 dollars plus 4 dollars per kilometer. What is the cost for 5 kilometers?

  1. Model the cost as 6 + 4k.
  2. Substitute k = 5.

26 dollars

Common pitfalls

Possible mix-up: 3x + 2 is 5x.

A constant and an x-term are not like terms.

Possible mix-up: Substitute −2 into x² as −2².

Use (−2)² so the negative is part of the base.

Explain it to yourself

Give two different stories represented by 5 + 3n.

Preview the eight practice prompts
  1. Evaluate 5x − 4 at x = 3.
  2. Evaluate x² + 2x at x = −3.
  3. Combine 8a − 3a + 6a. What is the coefficient of a?
  4. Expand 4(2x − 5). What is the constant term?
  5. Evaluate (a + b)/2 when a = 7/3 and b = 5/3.
  6. Evaluate 3(t − 2) + 2(t + 4) at t = 6.
  7. A bike rental charges $8 to start and $3 for each hour. What is the total cost in dollars for 7 hours? New context
  8. A row of n square frames uses 4n sticks before shared edges are removed. There are n − 1 shared edges, each counted twice. How many sticks remain for n = 9? New context
Open stage 5.1 in the student workspace →

STAGE 5.2 · 8 PRACTICE PROBLEMS · 2 NEW-CONTEXT APPLICATIONS

Solving & Checking Linear Equations

Useful preparation: Expressions & Substitution

Goal: Maintain equality while isolating an unknown quantity.

Before you begin: Before starting, explain one example from each prerequisite. If an idea is unfamiliar, follow the prerequisite lesson links.

An equation states a balance

Adding or subtracting the same quantity on both sides preserves equality. Multiplication or division also preserves equality when dividing only by nonzero numbers.

x + 5 = 12 ⇒ x = 7

Undo operations in reverse order

For a chain such as 3x + 4, undo the final addition before the multiplication. With variables on both sides, collect like terms first.

3x + 4 = 19 ⇒ 3x = 15 ⇒ x = 5

Check in the original statement

A candidate answer must satisfy the equation before simplification and fit the story. Some equations are true for every x; others have no solution.

2x + 1 = 2x + 3 has no solution
WORKED EXAMPLE 1

Solve 4(x − 2) = 3x + 9.

  1. Expand: 4x − 8 = 3x + 9.
  2. Subtract 3x and add 8.
  3. Check: 4(17 − 2) = 60 and 3(17) + 9 = 60.

17

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

Three equal notebooks and a $4 folder cost $25. What is a notebook price?

  1. Write 3n + 4 = 25.
  2. Subtract 4, then divide by 3.

7 dollars

Common pitfalls

Possible mix-up: Move a term without changing anything else.

Describe the same operation on both sides; this avoids sign errors.

Possible mix-up: Every equation has one answer.

Some equations have no solutions or infinitely many.

Explain it to yourself

How does substitution help detect an error when solving an equation?

Preview the eight practice prompts
  1. Solve x + 13 = 31.
  2. Solve 5x − 7 = 28.
  3. Solve x/4 + 3 = 8.
  4. Solve 3(x + 2) = 2x + 17.
  5. Solve (2/3)x − 1/2 = 5/6.
  6. Does 4x + 2 = 4x − 5 have any solution? Enter yes or no.
  7. Five equal tickets and a $6 booking charge cost $71. What is the price of one ticket in dollars? New context
  8. Two plans cost 9 + 4h dollars and 21 + 2h dollars for h hours. At what value of h do their costs match? New context
Open stage 5.2 in the student workspace →

STAGE 5.3 · 8 PRACTICE PROBLEMS · 2 NEW-CONTEXT APPLICATIONS

Inequalities & Feasible Values

Useful preparation: Solving & Checking Linear Equations

Goal: Track inequality direction and interpret boundaries in context.

Before you begin: Before starting, explain one example from each prerequisite. If an idea is unfamiliar, follow the prerequisite lesson links.

Inequalities describe sets

A strict inequality excludes its boundary; a non-strict inequality includes it. One test value does not describe the whole solution set.

x < 4 excludes 4; x ≤ 4 includes 4

Negative scaling reverses order

Adding the same number preserves order. Multiplying or dividing by a negative reverses the inequality because it reverses positions on the number line.

−2x < 8 ⇒ x > −4

Context can restrict the answer

A continuous solution interval may contain only certain allowed whole numbers. Check endpoint inclusion and any requirement that quantities be nonnegative.

3n ≤ 14, n a nonnegative integer ⇒ n ≤ 4
WORKED EXAMPLE 1

Solve −3x + 2 ≥ 14.

  1. Subtract 2: −3x ≥ 12.
  2. Divide by −3 and reverse the comparison.

x ≤ −4

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

A $9 entry fee leaves money for $4 rides within a $30 budget. What is the maximum number of rides?

  1. Write 9 + 4r ≤ 30.
  2. r ≤ 21/4 = 5.25.
  3. Only whole rides are allowed.

5

Common pitfalls

Possible mix-up: Dividing by a negative leaves the inequality direction unchanged.

Negative scaling reverses order.

Possible mix-up: A maximum of 5.7 items means 6 can be bought.

A budget bound must be rounded down to a feasible whole count.

Explain it to yourself

Explain why a boundary can satisfy ≤ but fail <.

Preview the eight practice prompts
  1. What is the greatest integer x satisfying x + 7 ≤ 12?
  2. What is the least integer x satisfying 2x > 9?
  3. What is the greatest integer x satisfying −3x ≥ 12?
  4. Does x = 6 satisfy 4x − 5 < 19? Enter yes or no.
  5. How many integers satisfy −2 < x ≤ 4?
  6. What is the least integer x satisfying −2x + 3 < −8?
  7. A museum charges $11 entry plus $6 per workshop. With $40, how many whole workshops can a visitor afford at most? New context
  8. A delivery van already carries 85 kg. Each crate adds 18 kg, and total load must be strictly below 230 kg. What is the maximum whole number of crates? New context
Open stage 5.3 in the student workspace →
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