Before You Read

Key Words

expression — a math phrase with numbers, variables, and operations, like 5e or 2x + 1.

variable — a letter that stands for a number, like x or e.

exponent — a small number that says how many times to multiply. 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2.

evaluate — find the value by putting in a number for the variable.

order of operations — do ×/÷ before +/−. Exponents come first.

coefficient — the number multiplied by a variable. In 5e, the 5 is the coefficient.

Part 1 — Power-Up Scores (Exponents)

Maya programmed a power-up that doubles each level. At level 4, the score is 2⁴. "An exponent means repeated multiplication," she said.

2⁴ = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16 points.

Check Your Reading — Q1

What does the exponent in 2⁴ tell you to do?

Solve It — #1

Find the value of 3².

3² =

Part 2 — Writing an Expression

Each enemy is worth 5 points. If a player defeats e enemies, the score is 5e (5 times e). "A variable lets one expression work for any number of enemies," Maya explained.

Expression: 5e. If e = 4, then 5e = 5 × 4 = 20 points.

Check Your Reading — Q2

In the expression 5e, what does the letter e stand for?

Solve It — #2

Evaluate 5e when e = 6 (6 enemies defeated).

Score:

Part 3 — Order of Operations

A bonus screen showed 2 + 3 × 4. A player typed 20 and got it wrong! "You must do multiplication before addition," Maya reminded them — the order of operations.

2 + 3 × 4 = 2 + 12 = 14 (not 20).

Solve It — #3

Use the order of operations: 10 − 2 × 3 = ?

Answer:

Part 4 — A Bigger Power-Up

The final boss gives a mega power-up worth 2⁵ points. Maya counted the multiplications carefully.

2⁵ = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32 points.

Solve It — #4

Find the value of 5².

5² =

After You Read — Write About It

Explain the Math in the Story

Level 1 — Beginner (finish each sentence):

An exponent like 2⁴ means I ______.
In the expression 5e, the letter e is a ______.
In 2 + 3 × 4, I do ______ first.

Level 2 — Intermediate (use these to start):

Expressions helped Maya because ______.
The order of operations matters because ______.
I could write an expression for a real situation like ______.

Write your answer here:

How You Are Scored

Rubric

Category	4 — Strong	3 — Proficient	2 — Developing
Reading comprehension	Both reading questions correct with details	1 correct	Attempts an answer
Math (Solve It)	All 4 answers correct (exponents, evaluating, order of operations)	3 correct	2 correct
Writing	Explains expressions using vocabulary (exponent, variable, order of operations)	Uses some vocabulary	Begins with a starter