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GRADE 7 MATH · LEARNING PATHWAYS 2.0

Using Properties to Rewrite Expressions

Explore using properties to rewrite expressions through guided examples and 12 practice questions.

Section 1 of 21

01 · DISCOVER

Before you begin

Enter your name and school email to save your learning. You’ll explore Proportional Relationships in Tables and then practice 12 questions with feedback.

Success criteria
  1. I can explain the main math idea in my own words.
  2. I can use a model, calculation, or example to solve a related problem.
  3. I can check my answers and explain why a solution makes sense.

Essential question: How can we use using properties to rewrite expressions to solve problems?

02 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Where this matters

Properties of operations help students calculate efficiently and show why steps preserve the same value.

03 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Understand the mathematics

Use the distributive property: 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12. Combine like terms: 2x + 5x = 7x. Check equivalence by substituting the same number into both expressions.

Trace each operation and verify the result by checking the original problem.

Distributive model
x + 4x + 4x + 43(x + 4) = 3x + 12

The expression 3(x + 4) is equivalent to 3x + 12.

04 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Model the first situation

Use the distributive property on 4(x + 3): 4 × x + 4 × 3 = 4x + 12. You can show this using four matching groups.

Think: Which operation or representation best shows this situation?

05 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Why this concept matters

Properties of operations help students calculate efficiently and show why steps preserve the same value.

Use diagrams, number lines, tables, or algebraic representations where appropriate to explain why a procedure works.

06 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Understand a second strategy

Combine like terms: 5x + 2x − 3 = 7x − 3. You cannot combine 7x with −3 because they represent different types of terms.

Try it: Check the reasoning with your own numbers or a visual model.

07 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Apply your learning

Compare 2(3x − 4) and 6x − 8 by testing x = 2. Both expressions equal 4, confirming the rewrite for this value.

Strategy reminder: Preserve equivalence. Every rewrite must produce the same result for any allowed value of x.

08 · LEARN & EXPLORE

Connect the idea

Equivalent expressions can look different while having the same value. Use the distributive property and combine like terms carefully.

Explain the idea in your own words and identify when you would use it.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 1 OF 12

Which is equivalent to 5(2x – 3)?

Choose the best answer, then study the feedback.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 2 OF 12

Simplify 4x + 7 – x + 2.

Work independently and check that your answer makes sense.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 3 OF 12

Expand 2(x + 3).

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 4 OF 12

Simplify 4x + 3x.

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 5 OF 12

Expand -3(x – 2).

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 6 OF 12

Simplify 5 + 2 + x.

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 7 OF 12

Expand 4(2x + 1).

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 8 OF 12

Simplify 6y – 2y.

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 9 OF 12

Expand (a + 5) + 3.

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 10 OF 12

Simplify 2(x + 5) + x.

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 11 OF 12

Which property lets you write 2+3 as 3+2?

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE · 12 OF 12

Which equals 7(x – 1)?

Work out your answer before choosing. Compare with the explanation and revise your reasoning.

RESULTS · REFLECT

Your Learning Pathway Results

Check your work and submit your first-attempt score to your teacher.