Expression, Equation, or Inequality?

Mathematics · Algebra · ages 11-12

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which of these is an inequality?
- 2(5 - x)
- 5 - 2x < 9
- 5 - 2x = 9
- 5 - 2x
Which of these is an equation?
- 6 + 2k
- 2(k + 3)
- 6 + 2k = 20
- 6 + 2k > 20
Which one is an equation?
- 4x + 7
- 4x + 7 = 15
- 4x + 7 > 15
In the term 7b, the coefficient is 7.
Circle one: True False
What is the coefficient of the term 8k in the expression 8k + 3?
Answer: ______________
Which sentence uses algebra vocabulary correctly?
- An expression has an equals sign
- A term has an equals sign
- An equation has an equals sign
- A factor is a kind of inequality
How many terms does 7p + 3 - 2q + 1 have, as it is written?
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 7
How many terms are in the expression 5x + 2y - 8?
- 2
- 3
- 4
Marcus says '3x is an equation because it has a letter and a number multiplied together.' What is wrong with his statement?
- 3x is an expression because it has no equals sign
- 3x is an inequality because it has no equals sign
- Marcus is correct
Which statement correctly describes 4n + 9 = 25?
- It's an equation with two terms on the left side: 4n and 9
- It's an inequality because the left side has two terms
- It's an expression because it has an equals sign

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

5 - 2x < 9 · An inequality contains an inequality sign such as <, and only 5 - 2x < 9 has one.
6 + 2k = 20 · An equation contains an equals sign, and only 6 + 2k = 20 has one.
4x + 7 = 15 · An equation has an equals sign. 4x + 7 = 15 says both sides have the same value.
True · The coefficient is the number multiplied by the letter, so in 7b it's 7.
8 · The coefficient is the number multiplied by the letter, so it's 8.
An equation has an equals sign · Only the third sentence is correct: an equals sign is what makes an equation.
4 · Terms are split by + and - signs: 7p, 3, -2q and 1. As written, that is four terms.
3 · The terms are separated by + and - signs: 5x, 2y, and -8. That's three terms.
3x is an expression because it has no equals sign · Having a letter doesn't make something an equation. Only an equals sign does, and 3x has none.
It's an equation with two terms on the left side: 4n and 9 · The equals sign makes it an equation. On the left, 4n and 9 are separate terms added together.