Combining Like Terms Puzzles

These unique challenge puzzles help students practice working with "like terms" in algebra equations in a fun way.

The challenge cards require students to use critical thinking, then practice combining like terms in expressions. The simplified expression is sometimes given, and different terms are given for each as well. (See images for samples.)

This set includes 14 cards with different sized regular puzzles, plus a challenge puzzle.

Answer keys are also included. You can laminate these and use as station cards, use them as warm-ups (one per day), or even print multiple cards per page as worksheets. There are a lot of options for how to use them!

Reviews from other Math Teachers:

- I used this activity to help students acclimate to group work where everyone in the group has to participate. Students were engaged and said this didn't even feel like doing math. Thank you!

- Creative way of reviewing combining like terms!

- Love these puzzles. They really encourage critical thinking and problem solving in addition to the combining like terms skill!

- Very creative activity that really got the students thinking!

- Great activity for stations. Thank you for this resource!

- Awesome practice for combining like terms! Great way to show students the concept in a less abstract way :)

- Excellent resource. Great differentiation enables it to also be used as an extension activity

- It definitely challenged my students. However, once we did a few together you could see the "ah ha!" moment