Hands on Equations - STEMTeachersNowPDProject
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Transcript Hands on Equations - STEMTeachersNowPDProject
Hands-On Algebra with Fractions and Mixed Numbers
When you hear the word “algebra”, what do
you think of?
What are some things you know about
algebra?
How might you use algebra in real-life?
Think of a time when you have used algebra.
Why was this important? (Money, “how much
more do I need to have a certain amount?”,
etc.)
What is an equation?
An equation is a number sentence that
contains an equal sign.
Example of an equation: x+ ½ = 1
What is a variable?
A variable is a letter or other symbol that
represents an unknown number in an equation.
Example of a variable: x + ½ = 1
We do not yet know what the value of “x” is, so
“x” is the variable.
In Hands-On Equations, the blue pawns
represent the variable in your equation.
Yellow “Balance” board
Each side of your balance is equal to the
other!
Your goal is to have only pawns on one side,
and only numbers/fractions on the other.
Let’s make a balance. How can I keep it in
balance? What can I do to make it balanced?
Blue Pawns “x”
The blue pawns represent your variables.
All your blue pawns have the same value in
each equation, it’s your job to find the value!
Red Number Cubes
The red cubes represent your whole numbers.
Fraction Squares
The fraction squares represent your fractions.
Solve for x without using a calculator.
x + ½ = 7/8
x = _____
Chk: _____ = _____
Think- What does “x” have to be equal to in
order for the sum of the addition problem to
be 7/8?
We will now work through problems 1-10 on
your Hands-On Guided Practice page.
X + 2/5 = 1
x = _____
Chk: _____ = _____
4x + 1/6 = 4 1/6
x = ______
Chk: _____ = _____
With your partner, make up some hands-on
equations yourself.
You will have to test out some different ways!
Be sure to check your equations for
correctness and create a separate answer key
for your equations.