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Letters for numbers: 6th grade math

Whole-number exponents; expressions with variables; evaluate. A free 6th grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: whole-number exponents; expressions with variables; evaluate.

Teach (10 min)

  • A letter stands for a number we do not know yet. "5 more than n" is n + 5. "3 times n" is 3n.
  • Careful with "less than": 3 less than n is n − 3. "Twice n, plus 4" is 2n + 4.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/expr6.express?lesson=6-expr6-express-1&at=6

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. Which expression says 9 times x?
  • 2. Which expression says twice y?
  • 3. Which expression says 6 more than n?

Question set

10 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. Which expression says 9 times x?
  2. Which expression says twice y?
  3. Which expression says 6 more than n?
  4. Which expression says 7 more than n?
  5. Which expression says 6 more than y?
  6. Which expression says the sum of y and 8?
  7. Which expression says the difference of 14 and b?
  8. Which expression says 8 more than t?
  9. Which expression says the quotient of t and 11?
  10. Which expression says x divided by 7?
Answers
  1. 9x
  2. 2y
  3. n + 6
  4. n + 7
  5. y + 6
  6. y + 8
  7. 14 − b
  8. t + 8
  9. t ÷ 11
  10. x ÷ 7

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

Letters for numbers (6th grade)

  1. Which expression says y decreased by 5?
  2. Which expression says 5 more than x?
  3. Which expression says 7 less than x?
  4. Which expression says 9 times m?
  5. Which expression says 4 less than b?
  6. Which expression says 10 times m?
  7. Which expression says t decreased by 11?
  8. Which expression says the difference of 4 and x?
  9. Which expression says 10 times the sum of y and 3?
  10. Which expression says the difference of 9 and t?
  11. Which expression says 11 more than twice n?
  12. Which expression says 5 less than b?
Key
  1. y − 5
  2. x + 5
  3. x − 7
  4. 9m
  5. b − 4
  6. 10m
  7. t − 11
  8. 4 − x
  9. 10(y + 3)
  10. 9 − t
  11. 2n + 11
  12. b − 5

Written by Peabody from its own skill pages. Free, no ads, no sign-in. Children can practise this on Peabody. More from teachers: teacher-shared resources.