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Writing and Reading Expressions

  • Grade 5
  • Mathematics
  • 5.OA.A.2
  • Operations & Algebraic Thinking
  • Free lesson

Aligned to 5.OA.A.2 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

An expression is a math phrase that shows what to do, but you don't have to solve it. Use parentheses to show which step happens first. You can also read an expression and describe it in words.

Worked examples

Example 1

Write "add 6 and 2, then multiply by 5." Since you add first, put that part in parentheses: 5 × (6 + 2). The parentheses tell you to add 6 + 2 before multiplying. You don't need to find the answer to write it correctly.

Example 2

Write 'subtract 4 from 15, then divide by 11': (15 − 4) ÷ 11. Without the parentheses it would divide 4 by 11 first.

Example 3

Compare without computing: 3 × (500 + 200) is three times as big as (500 + 200), so you can tell it is larger than 500 + 200 without adding anything.

Practice questions

  1. Write an expression for "subtract 4 from 10, then double the result."
  2. In words, describe what 3 × (12 + 7) tells you to do.
  3. Without solving, is 2 × (8 + 5) larger or smaller than (8 + 5)? Explain how you know.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

Escribir y leer expresiones

Una expresión es una frase matemática que muestra qué hacer, pero no tienes que resolverla. Usa paréntesis para mostrar qué paso va primero. También puedes leer una expresión y describirla con palabras.

Ejemplo 1: Escribe "suma 6 y 2, luego multiplica por 5." Como sumas primero, pon esa parte entre paréntesis: 5 × (6 + 2). Los paréntesis te dicen que sumes 6 + 2 antes de multiplicar. No necesitas hallar la respuesta para escribirla bien.

Ejemplo 2: Escribe 'resta 4 a 15 y luego divide entre 11': (15 − 4) ÷ 11. Sin los paréntesis, primero dividiría 4 entre 11.

Ejemplo 3: Compara sin calcular: 3 × (500 + 200) es tres veces (500 + 200), así que sabes que es mayor que 500 + 200 sin sumar nada.

More Operations & Algebraic Thinking lessons

Order of Operations and Numerical Expressions5.OA.A.1Patterns and Ordered Pairs5.OA.B.3

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