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Common Core Math7th GradeExpressions & Equations

7.EE.1: Write Equivalent Expressions

Also written as 7.EE.A.1 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.EE.A.1 · Cluster: Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.

Make a 7.EE.1 WorksheetAll 24 7th Grade Math Standards

The Official Wording

Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

Common Core State Standards, Grade 7, Expressions & Equations · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026

What 7.EE.1 Means in Plain English

Seventh graders rewrite linear expressions with the distributive, commutative and associative properties, now with negative and fraction coefficients. Expanding -3(2x - 5) gives -6x + 15, and (1/2)y - (3/4)y + 2 collects to (-1/4)y + 2.

Factoring runs the distributive property backward: 6x - 15 becomes 3(2x - 5). Students check any rewrite by substituting a number, like x = 2. In 8th grade, equations like 3(x - 4) = 2x + 1 need these moves before they can be solved (8.EE.7).

7.EE.1 I Can Statements

  • I can expand an expression like -3(2x - 5).
  • I can combine like terms with fraction and decimal coefficients.
  • I can factor an expression like 6x - 15 as 3(2x - 5).

7.EE.1 Worked Example

One expression that needs all three moves the standard names, expanding, collecting like terms and factoring, with a subtracted group as the trap.

Problem

Write 4(1.5x - 2) - (x - 3) as an equivalent expression in simplest form, then factor it.

Expand, combine and factor 4(1.5x - 2) - (x - 3)
  1. Expand the first group: multiply 4 by each term inside the parentheses.4(1.5x - 2) = 6x - 8
  2. Subtracting a group means adding its opposite, so the minus sign reaches both terms.-(x - 3) = -x + 3
  3. Write the pieces together and move like terms next to each other, which the commutative property allows.6x - x - 8 + 3
  4. Combine: 6x - x is 5x, and -8 + 3 is -5.5x - 5
  5. Both terms share a factor of 5. Factor it out for a second equivalent form.5(x - 1)
Answer4(1.5x - 2) - (x - 3) = 5x - 5 = 5(x - 1)

Check it: Substitute x = 2 into all three forms: 4(3 - 2) - (2 - 3) = 4 + 1 = 5, then 5(2) - 5 = 5, then 5(2 - 1) = 5. All three match.

Common Mistakes with 7.EE.1

Distributing to the first term only

4(1.5x - 2) = 6x - 2

Try this: Draw an arrow from the 4 to every term inside the parentheses, then multiply along each arrow: 6x and -8.

Dropping the minus sign in front of a group

6x - 8 - (x - 3) = 6x - 8 - x - 3

Try this: Rewrite the subtraction as adding -1 times the group: -1(x - 3) = -x + 3, so the 3 turns positive.

Adding fraction coefficients straight across

(1/2)x + (1/3)x = (2/5)x

Try this: Add the coefficients as fractions with a common denominator: 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6, so the sum is (5/6)x.

Where 7.EE.1 Fits

Comes Before6.EE.3Apply the distributive property to write 3(2 + x) as 6 + 3x.6.EE.4Decide whether two expressions are equivalent, like y + y + y and 3y.
Alongside7.NS.1Add and subtract signed numbers, which every like-terms step needs.7.EE.2Read what a rewritten expression says about the situation.
Comes Next8.EE.7Solve equations that need expanding and collecting first, like 3(x - 4) = 2x + 1.
HSA-SSE.2Use the structure of an expression to find ways to rewrite it.

Practice 7.EE.1

Math Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolExpand, factor and simplify pages with negative, decimal and fraction coefficients, the answer key in simplest form.Distributive propertyCombine like termsAnswer key
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Quick Check

  1. Expand -2(3x - 7).
  2. Simplify 0.4m + 1.2 - 1.5m.
  3. Factor 12y - 18 using the greatest common factor.

7.EE.1: Other Names

7.EE.17.EE.A.1CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.EE.A.1

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. Official wording from the Common Core State Standards PDFs at corestandards.org, last checked October 14, 2026. The explanation, I can statements, example, mistakes and practice on this page are EMStudio’s own, written beside the official wording. They are not part of the standard.