Pre-Algebra

Proof required

Submit a photo of 10 completed expression problems — evaluation with substitution (at least 3), combining like terms (at least 3), and order of operations (at least 4, including parentheses and exponents) — with working shown and a parent or teacher note confirming answers.

What gets checked

• Substitution problems show the value written in place of the variable before calculating
• Like terms correctly identified and combined (2x + 5x = 7x, not 7x²)
• Order of operations applied in correct sequence: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication/division left to right, then addition/subtraction left to right

Common mistakes

• Performing addition before multiplication — order of operations errors are the most common pre-algebra mistake; write out each step in sequence to catch these
• Combining unlike terms (3x + 2y = 5xy) — variables must match for terms to be combined

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Check the substitution step is written explicitly — '2x + 3 when x = 4' should show '2(4) + 3 = 11', not just '11'
• Ask the student to explain the order of operations for a mixed expression — they should state the sequence correctly
• Look for like-term errors: 3a + 2b cannot be combined; 3a + 5a = 8a

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Proof required

Submit a photo of 10 completed problems — 5 equations with inverse operations shown, 3 inequalities with number-line graphs drawn, and 2 word problems showing the equation set up before solving — with a parent or teacher note confirming the answers.

What gets checked

• Inverse operations shown step-by-step — not just the answer
• Inequalities graphed correctly (open circle for < and >, closed circle for ≤ and ≥, arrow in the right direction)
• Word problems show the equation written before any calculation

Common mistakes

• Guessing equation solutions by substitution rather than solving algebraically — the goal is to show the inverse operation method, not to test whether an answer works
• Forgetting to flip the inequality sign when dividing or multiplying by a negative number — this is a critical rule that gets missed even by students who otherwise understand inequalities

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Check that inverse operations are written step-by-step, not skipped
• For inequalities: verify the circle is correct (open or closed) and the arrow points the right direction
• For word problems: confirm the equation is written before the solving begins

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Proof required

Submit a screenshot of your Khan Academy Pre-Algebra course showing 80%+ in the course mastery meter (or a teacher-graded pre-algebra test scoring 80%+). Your name must be visible.

What gets checked

• 80%+ on the full Pre-Algebra course (expressions, equations, AND inequalities)
• Student's name visible on submission
• If teacher-graded: test covers both expressions/equations and inequalities

Common mistakes

• Completing equations but skipping the inequalities unit — both are required for the Algebra I prerequisite
• Submitting a unit mastery score rather than the full course mastery percentage

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Confirm 80%+ on the full course, not just a single unit
• If teacher-graded: test should include both equations and inequalities
• Name visible on submission

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