C2.1 Add monomials with a degree of 1 that involve whole numbers, using tools.
Skill: Adding Monomials With a Degree of 1 Involving Whole Numbers
Only monomials with the same variables (like terms) can be combined.
Monomials with a degree of 1 with the same variables can be added together; for example, 2m and 3m can be combined as 5m.
You cannot add monomials that do not have the exact same variables; for example, 5a + 10b ≠ 15ab.
Source: Ontario Curriculum, Mathematics Curriculum, Grades 1-8, 2020, Ontario Ministry of Education.
It is important for students to explore addition of monomials using different representations to develop their sense of operations.
Here are some examples:
- Represent the addition of monomials using algebra tiles.
- Add up using cubes.
The value of a cube is represented by c.
Then the value of the structure below is equivalent to c + c + c + c = 4c.
If we have 5 structures like the one shown above, the total value is 4c + 4c + 4c + 4c + 4c = 20c.
- Add using the number line.
Since monomials are explored for the first time in Grade 6, it is important to assign context and give meaning to the variables.
Knowledge: Monomial With a Degree of 1
A monomial with a degree of 1 has only one variable and its exponent is one. When the exponent is not shown, it is understood to be one.
Source: Ontario Curriculum, Mathematics Curriculum, Grades 1-8, 2020, Ontario Ministry of Education.