Khan Academy Wiki

The Creating expressions with parentheses exercise appears under the 5th grade (U.S.) Math Mission, Pre-algebra Math Mission and Mathematics I Math Mission. This exercise practices constructing numerical expressions that use parentheses.

Types of Problems[]

There are two types of problems in this exercise:

  1. Write the expression: This problem presents a situation that can be modeled by a numerical expression. The user is asked to find a numerical expression to model the situation and write it in the space provided.
    Cewp1

    Write the expression

  2. Determine which situation is modeled by the expression: This problem gives a numerical expression. The user is asked to read three scenarios and determine which of the is the situation modeled by the expression.
    Cewp2

    Determine which situation is modeled by the expression

Strategies[]

Confidence with word problems and reading quantitative information would be a benefit on this problem but is not necessary.

  1. Interestingly, any equivalent expression will be accepted. That means instead of writing it is possible to just write 9 and it will be accepted. This fact can increase efficiency.
  2. The Determine which situation is modeled by the expression problem can be started before reading the scenario. Most are some things being added or subtracted, then at the end being multiplied. This can help to quickly determine which situation is being modeled.