Teacher instructions for algebra bingo
This activity reinforces collecting like terms for one or two variable expressions without exponents.
It should take about ten minutes of class time.
Before class:
1. Photocopy the "cards" sheet (# copies = # students divided by 3)
2. Cut each copy horizontally into three identical sheets, each showing six 3x3 bingo cards.
3. Make one copy of the "questions and answers" sheet
In class:
1. Distribute the card sheets and keep the question/answers sheet for yourself.
2. Tell the students the following:
-all the sheets show the same six bingo cards
-therefore, the object of the game is not to see who has the winning card, but to see who can most
quickly tell which of the six cards is the winner
-the students must circle answers on the cards in response to your questions.
-each answer will occur in exactly three different cards within the sheet. For example,
if your question was "x + x", the answer (2x) appears in cards 1, 4 and 6. All of these "2x's" would then
be circled
-when a student sees that a card has three in a row (in any direction), they may shout "bingo!"
-whoever shouts bingo must be prepared to state which card is the winner, and how the
row of three appears on the card (or, this information could be volunteered by another student)
3. When you begin the game, write the first question on the board, but not the answer
4. Give the students 30 seconds or so, then proceed to the next question, and so on. Do not erase previously
written questions.
5. The first bingo should occur after the 9th question (see questions and answers sheet for details).
6. If desired, the game can be continued for an additional three questions, each of which will produce at least two
additional bingos (see questions and answers sheet for details). It is probably best to not allow the same student
to call more than one bingo.
Algebra bingo
① ② ③
5x 11 −7y y−x 14y −x 0 y 14y
x−4 2y − 6 3x + 8y 0 4x + 9 −y + 6 −y + 6 x+3 −13x
−x 2x 3y + 10 3x + 8y x−4 6x + 15y 3y + 10 11 −7y
④ ⑤ ⑥
11 6x + 15y 3x + 8y 14y −7y 6x + 15y 4x + 9 −y + 6 2y − 6
x+3 2y − 6 y x+3 4x + 9 x−4 y 5x −13x
3y + 10 −13x 2x 5x y−x −x 0 2x y−x
Algebra bingo
① ② ③
5x 11 −7y y−x 14y −x 0 y 14y
x−4 2y − 6 3x + 8y 0 4x + 9 −y + 6 −y + 6 x+3 −13x
−x 2x 3y + 10 3x + 8y x−4 6x + 15y 3y + 10 11 −7y
④ ⑤ ⑥
11 6x + 15y 3x + 8y 14y −7y 6x + 15y 4x + 9 −y + 6 2y − 6
x+3 2y − 6 y x+3 4x + 9 x−4 y 5x −13x
3y + 10 −13x 2x 5x y−x −x 0 2x y−x
Algebra bingo
① ② ③
5x 11 −7y y−x 14y −x 0 y 14y
x−4 2y − 6 3x + 8y 0 4x + 9 −y + 6 −y + 6 x+3 −13x
−x 2x 3y + 10 3x + 8y x−4 6x + 15y 3y + 10 11 −7y
④ ⑤ ⑥
11 6x + 15y 3x + 8y 14y −7y 6x + 15y 4x + 9 −y + 6 2y − 6
x+3 2y − 6 y x+3 4x + 9 x−4 y 5x −13x
3y + 10 −13x 2x 5x y−x −x 0 2x y−x
order question answer resulting bingo(s)
1 4x − 5x −x
2 −3 + 3y − 2y + 3 y
3 −4 + 5y − 2y + 14 3y + 10
4 15 − 7x − 4 + 7x 11
5 −y + 3 + 3y − 9 2y − 6
6 6x − 18x − x −13x
7 −2 + x + 11 + 3x 4x + 9
8 −4 + 4x − 3x x−4
9 −4x + y + 2y + 4x − 3y 0 card 6 (left vertical)
10 −x + 7x − 4x 2x card 1 (bottom horizontal and centre vertical), card 4 (diagonal down to right)
11 4 + 9y + 2 − 10y −y + 6 card 2 (centre horizontal), card 3 (left vertical), card 6 (top horizontal)
12 −3y + 17y 14y card 2 (centre vertical), card 5 (diagonal down to right), card 3 (top horizontal)
