Simplifying Expressions in Pre-Algebra

What are some common properties you can use to sort tiles?

• Weight and density

• Constants and variables

• Color and texture

• Shape and size

Why is it helpful to group tiles with positive and negative coefficients together?

• It makes the expression look more colorful

• It helps to avoid mistakes during simplification

• It makes the expression longer

• It changes the value of the expression

What is the purpose of using algebra tiles in simplifying expressions?

• To add more complexity to the problem

• To change the values of the variables

• To visualize and simplify expressions tangibly

• To make the process more abstract

What does combining like terms with integer coefficients involve?

• Adding and subtracting different variables

• Dividing the terms by their coefficients

• Grouping and canceling out opposite terms

• Multiplying all terms together

Why can't you combine unlike terms?

• Because they have different shapes

• Because they have different coefficients

• Because they represent different quantities

• Because they are not constants

What is a rational number?

• A number that can be written as a fraction

• A number that cannot be written as a fraction

• A number that is always negative

• A number that is always positive

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

• By subtracting the denominators

• By multiplying the numerators

• By matching the denominators first

• By adding the numerators directly

What should you do if an expression contains both fractions and decimals?

• Ignore the fractions

• Use the same rules to simplify

• Convert all decimals to fractions

• Convert all fractions to decimals

Why can't you add terms with different variables together?

• Because they have different coefficients

• Because they are not like terms

• Because they are fractions

• Because they are constants

What is the first step in simplifying algebraic expressions?

• Dividing all terms

• Multiplying all terms

• Combining unlike terms

• Grouping like terms