5.4 F Simplifying Numerical Expressions

Created by HISD Curriculum using Google Slides

Let’s review our vocabulary:

Expression

One or more operations that are represented
as a number sentence with no equal sign.

Example: 32 x 4 - 18 + 9

Order of Operations

The sequence in which operations are solved
when simplifying numerical expressions.

Equal Sign

A symbol used to show that two numerical
expressions are equivalent.

Example: 26 = 13 + 13

Positive Rational Numbers

Numbers larger than zero that can be
expressed as a fraction (positive whole
numbers, positive fractions, and positive
decimals).

Created by HISD Curriculum using Google Slides

Look at the math story and answer the questions.

Kameron and Jordan each solved the following expression: 44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7. Look at the way each of the students
simplified the expression.

Who simplified it correctly? How do you know?

Kameron

44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7

56 ÷ 4 x 7

14 x 7

95

Jordan

44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7

44 + 3 x 7

44 + 21

65

Created by HISD Curriculum using Google Slides

Let’s look at Jordan and Kameron’s work.

Kameron and Jordan each solved the following expression: 44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7. Look at the way each of the students
simplified the expression.

Who simplified it correctly? How do you know?

Kameron

44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7

56 ÷ 4 x 7

14 x 7

95

Jordan

44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7

44 + 3 x 7

44 + 21

65

To find out who simplified the expression correctly, we solved it first.

Based on my work, Jordan solved the problem correctly. Since there are parentheses in the expression, the first step
must be dividing 12 ÷ 4 to find the solution of 3. The second step is to multiply the 3 by 7. The final step is to add 44 and
21 to get the solution of 65.

Kameron is incorrect. He simplified the expression by completing the operations in order from left to right without taking
consideration of the order of operations.

My Work

44 + [(12 ÷ 4) x 7

44 + 3 x 7

44 + 21

65