Equivalent Expressions Worksheets, Grade 6 (6.EE.A.4) – Free PDF + Answer Key

First page of the equivalent expressions practice worksheet

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PDFs print on US Letter paper. Free for classroom and home use.

Watch: Combining Like Terms - Watch me solve this in under 2 minutes - then you try one!

Key idea

Equivalent means equal for every value. Two ways to decide: simplify or expand until the forms match, or substitute at least two different values. Avoid testing only x = 0 or x = 1 — too many non-equivalent pairs agree there.

Sample problems

Are 2x and 5x equivalent? Test x = 0 and x = 3, then decide.
Are 5(x + 1) and 5x + 5 equivalent? Explain.
Are x + x + x and 3x equivalent? Explain.
Are 7x − 3x and 4x equivalent? Explain.

Common mistakes to watch for

Answered yes after testing only x = 1. This pair is designed to agree at exactly one value.
Said no because they ‘look different.’ Different form does not mean different value.
Said no, or wrote 6x².

The answer key explains each one, so you can tell what a wrong answer means.

How to use this set

Teach with the slides (about 15 minutes), or watch the video together.
Practice with the worksheet. Questions climb from fluency to application to reasoning.
Check understanding with the exit ticket, and send the homework home.
Mark with the answer key — each answer shows the steps and the most likely mistake.