Maggie Mixon, host of the Math Homework Hotline, and co-host Canelo Paredo reviewed algebraic expressions and demonstrating how to combine like terms, then invited students to call in with two equivalent expressions for a given challenge. The first caller to provide a correct answer and explanation earned the show's weekly GEMI prize package.

The teaching segment focused on recognizing expressions (no equal sign) and simplifying by combining like terms. Mixon said, "An equation has an equal sign, and an expression does not," and explained that simplifying an expression often involves grouping like variables and constants and applying order-of-operations rules.

The show's challenge asked listeners to "write two expressions that are equivalent to the quantity -x + 5 - (4 - 3/2 x + x)." Student caller Ethan from Williams Middle IB World School explained his steps on air: he removed parentheses (distributing the implied -1), grouped variable terms and constants, and reported the fully simplified expression as "-1/2 x + 1." Hosts confirmed that Ethan's work produced an equivalent expression and awarded him the GEMI prize package, to be delivered to his school.

Why this matters: the segment demonstrated classroom techniques—distributing a sign, squaring up (grouping) variable terms, and combining constants—that are core to middle- and high-school algebra practice. The live-call format let teachers and students demonstrate problem-solving steps for peers.

Details from the lesson: Mixon and Paredo emphasized (1) identifying expressions vs. equations, (2) using distribution or an implied -1 to remove parentheses, (3) grouping variables with variables and numbers with numbers before combining, and (4) checking arithmetic and sign rules when combining terms. The hosts reminded students that select-all or multi-part items require checking every piece, because some assessments score them all-or-nothing.

The show identified the winning caller on air and noted logistics for the prize: an engraved GEMI plaque for the student and school, a t-shirt, and other merchandise that will be brought to the school by the show staff.

For teachers and families: Mixon and Paredo encouraged viewers to use the show's resources at mathhomeworkhotline.com and to call during future broadcasts for help with expressions and upcoming topics such as equations and inequalities.

Ending note: the program used one concrete challenge problem and a live student solution to model classroom techniques for simplifying algebraic expressions.