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Get Ready: Write Algebraic Expressions

To write an expression from words, you have to know which operation each word means — sum is add, difference is subtract, product is multiply, quotient is divide. Get these word clues warm and writing expressions feels easy.

Readiness Pre-Lesson Unit 6 · Lesson 3 Builds toward 6.EE.2a
Readiness progress: 0%
Why this matters for Lesson 6-3: To write an expression from words, you have to know which operation each word means — sum is add, difference is subtract, product is multiply, quotient is divide. Get these word clues warm and writing expressions feels easy.
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Quick Check · 1 minute

Where should you start?

Answer these 3, then press Show my path. No grade — this just points you to the right level.

1. The sum of 4 and 3 means…

2. The product of 5 and 2 means…

3. The difference of 9 and 4 means…

🧱 Start at Level 0. We'll build this from the ground up with small steps. That's totally fine — take your time below.
🛠️ Start at Level 1. You've got the idea — a little guided practice and you'll be ready.
🚀 Start at Level 2. Your basics are strong! Do the quick warm-up and head into the lesson.
⚠️ Answer all 3 questions first, then press Show my path.
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Learn It

Math words become symbols

Each math word points to one operation: sum = +, difference = −, product = ×, quotient = ÷. A letter like n stands for a number we don't know yet.

'The sum of a number and 5' becomes n + 5.
'The product of 3 and a number' becomes 3 × n (often written 3n).
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Practice · Your Level

Try It

Your quick check picks one for you, but you can switch any time:

Level 0 Match the word to the answer, one step at a time.

A. The sum of 5 and 4 = ___

Hint

Sum means add: 5 + 4 = 9.

B. The difference of 7 and 2 = ___

Hint

Difference means subtract: 7 − 2 = 5.

C. The product of 3 and 2 = ___

Hint

Product means multiply: 3 × 2 = 6.

Level 1 Pick the matching expression.

A. 'The sum of a number n and 7' is…

Hint

Sum means add, so n + 7.

B. 'The product of 4 and a number n' is…

Hint

Product means multiply, so 4 × n.

C. The quotient of 10 and 2 = ___

Hint

Quotient means divide: 10 ÷ 2 = 5.

Level 2 Warm up straight into writing expressions.

A. '5 more than a number n' is…

Hint

'More than' adds, so n + 5.

B. '3 less than a number n' is…

Hint

'3 less than n' takes 3 away from n: n − 3.

Exit Ticket

Show You're Ready

1. 'The sum of a number n and 8' is…

Hint

Sum means add: n + 8.

2. The product of 6 and 2 = ___

Hint

Product means multiply: 6 × 2 = 12.

🎉 You're warmed up!

You've practiced exactly what Lesson 6-3 uses. Time to dive in.

Start Lesson 6-3 →