Lesson 3: Write Algebraic Expressions6.AT.6a

I can…

I can write algebraic expressions from words and real-world situations.

Key words

• Variable — A letter that stands for a number that is unknown or can change.
• Algebraic Expression — A math phrase that has at least one letter.
• Coefficient — The number in front of a letter, like the 3 in 3x.
• Constant — A fixed number in an expression or equation that does not change.
• Like terms — Terms with the same letter raised to the same power, like 2x and 5x.

Steps

1. Tickets cost $12 each, plus a flat $50 venue fee. Let t be the number of tickets.
2. "$12 each ticket" means 12 times t, which I write as 12t.
3. The flat fee $50 is added once, so I add 50.
4. I put them together: total revenue = 12t + 50.

Try it

Which expression represents '3 more than twice a number n'?

Check your answer

2n + 3

'Twice a number n' is 2n. '3 more than' means + 3. So the expression is 2n + 3.

Sentence starter

I know ___ because ___.

Goal: I can explain my expression using the words variable, coefficient, constant, and algebraic expression.