If-Then Statements and Conditionals

If-Then Statements and Conditionals

What students learn

Students learn that if-then statements have a hypothesis and a conclusion. Begin with If-Then Statements Have Two Parts so the two parts are easy to spot.

Why it matters

Conditional statements appear in math, science, and everyday directions. True and False Examples Test Conditions helps students check whether a claim really works in every case.

Learn the idea

A conditional can look clear at first, but the real test is whether the pattern holds under checking. Converse and Counterexample Need Checking introduces the idea that one changed example can expose a weak claim.

Try it

Ask the student to rewrite three real-world rules as if-then statements, such as "If a shape has four equal sides, then it is a rhombus." Then have them mark the hypothesis and conclusion.

Parent guide

Use short examples and ask the student to name the if-part first. If they swap the parts, gently point back to the original order and have them restate the claim.