Chapter 1
Numbers and Operations
Course: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects 5001
Subject: Elementary Education Mathematics Subtest 5003
Chapter: Algebraic Thinking
1. Solves multistep one-variable linear equations and inequalities
What it means: Students should be able to solve linear equations and inequalities involving one variable and multiple steps, including distributing, combining like terms, and moving terms from one side to another.
Linear equations have an equals sign (=) and only one variable raised to the first power (no exponents or variables in denominators). Solving means finding the one value of the variable that makes the equation true.
Steps to solve:
- Apply the distributive property if needed: a(b + c) = ab + ac
- Combine like terms on both sides
- Use inverse operations to isolate the variable
- Check the solution by substituting the value into the original equation
Example: Solve: 3(x + 2) = 2x + 12 Step 1: Distribute → 3x + 6 = 2x + 12 Step 2: Subtract 2x → x + 6 = 12 Step 3: Subtract 6 → x = 6 Step 4: Check → 3(6 + 2) = 2(6) + 12 → 24 = 24 ✓