Arrange students in groups of 2.

Display these expressions and ask students to write equivalent expressions.

Although students may suggest many expressions, ensure they see the solutions here.

2. This is the same expression as in the last question.

Tell students that, in general, most operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing combine only 2 values at a time. Computing a value like is really done as something like . 

Tell students to close their books or devices (or to keep them closed). Arrange students in groups of 2 and distribute pre-cut cards. Allow students to familiarize themselves with the representations on the cards:

• Give students 1 minute to place all the cards face up and start thinking about possible ways to sort the cards into categories.
• Pause the class and select 1–3 students to share the categories they identified.
• Discuss as many different categories as time allows.  

Attend to the language that students use to describe their categories and expressions, giving them opportunities to describe their expressions more precisely. Highlight the use of terms like "same value," "base," and "logarithm rules." After a brief discussion, invite students to open their books or devices and continue with the activity.