Algebra I: Exploring Expressions

Objectives

• Students will use substitution to evaluate an algebraic expression.
• Students will determine the role of the coefficient and the constant term in an expression.
• Students will identify patterns and make generalizations based on observations when values are substituted into an expression.

Vocabulary

• Coefficient
• Constant term
• Linear equation

About the Lesson

This lesson involves substituting values for variables, and evaluating expressions. The emphasis is on helping students understand that an expression and an equation are two distinctly different mathematical objects. The lesson could lead to solving a linear equation in one variable or be extended to generating a table of solutions for a linear equation in two variables.