6.EE.6 - About the Math, Learning Targets, and Increasing Rigor

Grade 4 G/T Expressions and Equations

6.EE.6

Full Standard

Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.

 

Learning Targets (I can)

  • Use variables to represent numbers.
  • Determine if a variable represents a single unknown or a set of unknowns (i.e. in x + 7 > 10, x represents more than one unknown, in x + 7 = 10, x represents a single unknown).
  • Write expressions to solve real-world problems.

 

About the Math 

  • Use variables to represent numbers.

Students write expressions to represent various real-world situations. Given a contextual situation, students define variables and write an expression to represent the situation. No solving is expected with this standard. Students should understand the inverse relationships that can exist between two variables. Connecting writing expressions with story problems and/or drawing pictures will give students a context for this work. It is important for students to read algebraic expressions in a manner that reinforces that the variable represents a number.

  • Determine if a variable represents a single unknown or a set of unknowns (i.e. in x + 7 > 10, x represents more than one unknown, in x + 7 = 10, x represents a single unknown).

Variables can represent one or more unknowns dependent upon the equation or inequality. Often, students think a variable represents a specific value that they have to find. They recognize that it is unknown but they don't necessarily recognize that it could represent more than one value. 

  • Write expressions to solve real-world problems.

Expressions, equations, and inequalities can represent real-world problems. These tools can then be used to model the contexts and find solutions. Students have been working with creating expressions and equations for real-world problems since primary grades.

 

Essential vocabulary for this standard includes: inequalities, equations, and variable. Visit the online dictionary Links to an external site. or visual math dictionary Links to an external site. for vocabulary support.

 

 

Progression of Standard within Grade 4 G/T

This progression informs how to develop the standard within the grade level. This progression is provided by HCPSS Elementary Mathematics.

Progression Throughout Year
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

 

 

 
  • Use variables to represent numbers.
  • Determine if a variable represents a single unknown or a set of unknowns (i.e. in x + 7 > 10, x represents more than one unknown, in x + 7 = 10, x represents a single unknown).
  • Write expressions to solve real-world problems.

 

Progression of this Standard Across Grades

This progression is informed by the Achieve the Core Coherence Map Links to an external site.. Information is not the complete standard.

Progression Across Grades
Grade 5 Grade 7
  • Write simple expressions (5.OA.2)
  • Graph two patterns/rules on coordinate plane (5.OA.3)
  • Use equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. (7.EE.4)

 

 

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