M.6.R.EE.6

Turns a letter for one unknown into a variable that can stand for any number in a set.

Not yet reviewed by a teacher

Builds on

Where to go for intervention

Grade 6

M.6.R.EE.2Letters standing for numbers in expressions, from part a.Read, and evaluate expressions efficiently, flexibly, and accurately.

Grade 5

M.5.R.OA.2Writing an expression to record a calculation, with numbers.Write expressions that record calculations with numbers and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 x (8+7). Recognize that 3 x (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.

Grade 4

M.4.Q.OA.3PriorityStudents already write equations with a letter for the unknown in multistep problems. Grade 6 treats the letter as a variable.Efficiently, flexibly, and accurately solve multistep real world word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using visual models and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using estimation strategies.

M.6.R.EE.6

Priority

Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.

Common Core: 6.EE.B.6

Resources2 IM tasksWIDAOSPI

Illustrative Mathematics tasks2

From the Illustrative Mathematics task library, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

WIDA language connections1

Explain · Expressivespeaking, writing and representing

ELD-MA.6-8.Explain.Expressive · Language for Mathematics, Grades 6-8

Construct mathematical explanations that…

Introduce concept or entity
Share solution with others
Describe data and/or problem-solving

OSPI's example connections to the WIDA ELD Standards Framework. How to read these

From OSPI

Washington OER Hub · Free, openly licensed materials for M.6.R.EE.6

Smarter Balanced interim assessment

Grade 6: One Variable Expressions and Equations · Focused interim block, item 3

On the SBA

PRISM's read

OSPI lists a single item, so this mostly shows up inside equation and expression work rather than on its own.

Smarter Balanced target

Claim 1 (Concepts and Procedures), Target F: Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.

Major work of the grade, DOK 1, 2.

OSPI's interim connections

Grade 6: One Variable Expressions and Equations · item 3

Smarter Balanced publishes its claims and targets in its content specifications, written to the Common Core. A 2026 standard reaches them through OSPI's crosswalk. Check them before anything official.

Builds to

Where it goes next

Grade 6

M.6.R.EE.7An expression for a situation becomes an equation to solve.Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p,q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.M.6.R.EE.8A variable that can mean any number in a set is what the solutions of an inequality are.Write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize that inequalities of the form x > c or x < c have infinitely many solutions; represent solutions of such inequalities on number line diagrams.M.6.R.EE.9PriorityOne variable becomes two that change together.Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one quantity, thought of as the dependent variable, in terms of the other quantity, thought of as the independent variable. Analyze the relationship between the dependent and independent variables using graphs and tables and relate these to the equation.

Grade 7

M.7.R.EE.4PriorityWriting equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem and write equations and inequalities to efficiently, flexibly, and accurately to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.

Connects to

Taught alongside it, including its supporting standards.

M.6.R.EE.5Substituting a value from a set makes "any number in a specified set" concrete.Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation or inequality true.