Mathematics

Advanced

50 mins

Teacher/Student led

Learning Goals

Learning Outcomes

Lesson Files

+80 XP

What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Equivalent Expressions

Explore how repeated addition and multiplication express the same value. Use a balance beam to match equivalent expressions, then write your own multiplications.

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1 Getting Started
2 Watch and Notice
3 Try It Together
4 Write It as a Multiplication in Your Copy
5 Class Challenge
6 What Did We Notice?
7 What's Next
Pupil practice

1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

Illustration for Getting Started Look at these two ways of writing an amount: 3 + 3 + 3 and 3 × 3. Are they two ways of writing the same amount, or two different amounts?

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

Watch the balance beam. On the left pan sits a repeated addition; on the right sits a multiplication. When both sides are worth the same, the beam sits level.

This next pair uses different numbers, but both sides are still worth the same. Say what each side is worth, then check the beam agrees with you.

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+10 XP

3 - Try It Together ~7 mins

We start on the beam below: 4 + 4 is set on the left, and together we build the matching multiplication on the right to level it. Then we work these three on the board the same way:

3 + 3 + 3 + 3 → build the matching multiplication
10 + 10 → build the matching multiplication
7 + 7 + 7 → build the matching multiplication

Key point

Each time, level the beam.

Level the beam

+15 XP

4 - Write It as a Multiplication in Your Copy ~3 mins

COPYBOOK MOMENT

In your maths copy, write each repeated addition as a multiplication, then write the equals sentence in full:

4 + 4 + 4
5 + 5 + 5 + 5
2 + 2 + 2

Write the multiplication and the total. Count the groups first: for example, 6 + 6 = 2 × 6 = 12.

+10 XP

5 - Class Challenge ~12 mins

Key point

Build and match these equivalent pairs with counters:

3 + 3 → build the matching multiplication
4 + 4 + 4 → build the matching multiplication
2 × 6 → rewrite as a repeated addition
Stretch: find a multiplication that equals 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5

Hands-on Task

+15 XP

Pupil practice

Module 10 · Algebra: Patterns, Rules and Number Sentences Algebra

Lesson 126 · Equivalent Expressions

Download Activity Book page (PDF)

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