New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics - Grade 7 - Operations with Rational Numbers - Unit 1

Sep 30, 2026

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics outline Grade 7 Unit 1 focused on operations with rational numbers and algebraic expressions. Students extend addition and subtraction, representing signed rational numbers on number lines and explaining how opposite quantities combine to make zero. Learners also extend multiplication and division of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers, interpret sums and products in real-world contexts, and apply properties of operations to compute efficiently across whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Rationale

Grade 7 – Unit 1, Module A

7.NS.A.1 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Numbers

7.NS.A.2 Multiplication and Division of Rational Numbers

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Mathematics and Student Learning Objectives Issued by the New Jersey Department of Education – Updated August 2019 Grade 7 – Operations with Rational Numbers – Unit 1 Rationale Unit 1 focuses on operations with rational numbers and algebraic expressions. Learners extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers. Similarly, they extend previous understandings of multiplication and division of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers. They solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. They apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form and convert between forms as appropriate. Note: Double asterisks (**) indicate that the example(s) included within the New Jersey Student Learning Standard may be especially informative when considering the Student Learning Objective. Grade 7 – Unit 1, Module A | Standard | Student Learning Objectives We are learning to…/ We are learning that… | | --- | --- | | 7.NS.A.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of | ▪ apply previous understandings of addition to add rational numbers | | addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
a. Describe situations in which opposite quantities combine to make 0. For example, in the first round of a game, Maria scored 20 points. In the second round of the same game, she lost 20 points. What is her score at the end of the second round? | ▪ describe situations in which opposites combine to make zero
▪ show by modeling, a number and its opposite have a sum of zero (additive inverse) | | Standard | Student Learning Objectives We are learning to…/ We are learning that… | | --- | --- | | 7.NS.A.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of | ▪ p + q is the number located a distance |q| from p in the positive or | | addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
b. Understand p + q as the number located a distance |q| from p, in the positive or negative direction depending on whether q is positive or negative. Show that a number and its opposite have a sum of 0 (are additive inverses). Interpret sums of rational numbers by describing real-world contexts. | ,
negative direction depending on whether q is positive or negative (e.g. 5 + -4 is 4 units in the negative direction from 5 and, similarly, 5 + 4 is also 4 units away in the positive direction)
▪ represent addition and subtraction of signed rational numbers on a vertical or horizontal number line
▪ interpret sums of rational numbers in real world situations | | 7.NS.A.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
c. Understand subtraction of rational numbers as adding the additive inverse, p − q = p + (-q) . Show that the distance between two rational numbers on the number line is the absolute value of their difference and apply this principle in real-world contexts. | ▪ apply previous understandings of subtraction to subtract rational numbers
▪ subtraction of rational numbers is the same as adding the additive inverse, p − q = p + (-q)
▪ show by modeling on a number line that the distance between two rational numbers is the absolute value of their differences and apply the concept in real world contexts | | 7.NS.A.1 Apply and extend previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram.
d. Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtrac

FAQs

What is the main focus of Grade 7 Unit 1?

The unit focuses on operations with rational numbers and algebraic expressions, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing signed rational numbers.

How do students represent addition and subtraction of rational numbers?

Students represent addition and subtraction on horizontal or vertical number line diagrams to show signed movements and interpret sums in real-world situations.

What does subtraction of rational numbers mean in this unit?

Subtraction of rational numbers is treated as adding the additive inverse, p − q = p + (−q), and students connect this to absolute distance on the number line.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair