This free printable PDF gives Grade 6 children focused practice in adding and subtracting algebraic expressions. It covers adding and subtracting expressions, including full bracketed subtraction, with the sign changes shown step by step. Print it and take the fear out of minus signs.
Add algebraic expressions by grouping like terms together, then adding their coefficients while keeping unlike terms separate and writing each term once in the answer. Only coefficients change, because the letters and powers in each group stay exactly the same.
I teach two layouts for adding. The vertical layout lines up like terms in columns, which helps with long expressions. The horizontal layout keeps short expressions on one line.
Both give the same answer, so children pick the layout that keeps their working tidy.
Subtracting a bracket changes every sign inside it, because minus in front of a bracket means you take away the whole group, so plus terms turn to minus and minus terms turn to plus. Miss one sign and the whole answer goes wrong.
Here is the wrong-versus-right example I use in class. Wrong: (5x + 3) - (2x - 4) becomes 5x + 3 - 2x - 4, which gives 3x - 1. Right: the minus flips both signs, so it becomes 5x + 3 - 2x + 4, which gives 3x + 7.
My sign-check step is simple: circle the minus, flip every sign, then combine.
This is a 5-page printable PDF. It covers adding and subtracting algebraic expressions, including subtraction with brackets.
The Challenging problem follows packs of notebooks, pens and markers across two phases, with returns and damage to account for. Phase 1 has 12 notebook packs, 8 pen packs and 5 marker boxes. Phase 2 adds 10 notebook packs and 7 marker boxes and returns 3 pen packs, while damage removes 2 notebook packs and 1 marker box.
Part (c) evaluates the result with n = 3, p = 2 and m = 4.
Flipping only the first sign inside a bracket and leaving the rest. Combining unlike terms after adding. Forgetting returned items in a multi-phase problem.
I make children tick each flipped sign, because an unticked sign is usually an unchanged sign.
Subtracting a bracketed expression, because every sign inside the bracket must change.
Circle the minus sign, flip every sign inside the bracket, then combine like terms. Check the flips before you add anything.
Worksheet 6.4 groups and names terms. This one adds and subtracts whole expressions, including brackets.
Vertical for long expressions, horizontal for short ones. Both give the same answer.
This worksheet aligns with Standard 6.EE.A.3. For more Grade 6 practice, visit the Grade 6 hub.
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