Identify When Two Expressions Are Equivalent

For each pair of expressions: first test with substitution, then verify or disprove algebraically.

Grade 6·19 problems·~25 min·Common Core Math - Grade 6·standard·6-ee-a-4

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Fluency Practice

A student claims $3(x + 2)$ and $3x + 2$ are equivalent because '3 times $x$ plus 2 is the same either way.' Is the student correct?

Yes — both expressions have 3, $x$ , and 2.

Yes — $3(x + 2) = 3x + 2$ by the distributive property.

No — $3(x + 2) = 3x + 6$ by the distributive property. $3x + 2 \neq 3x + 6$ .

Cannot be determined without knowing the value of $x$ .