Algebra from worded problems
Turn a story into an expression, then an equation, solve it, and prove the answer by substituting it back. Three levels, and every answer is worked out by the system with the check shown.
- Members
- 9 pages
- about 45 minutes
- You need: pencil and eraser, no calculator on sheets a and b
- Teacher
- Page 2
- Page 3
- 4Page 4
- 5Page 5
- 6Page 6
- 7Page 7
- 8Page 8
- 9Answers
Pages 4 to 9 open when you can download. These are pictures of the real PDF. What you see is what prints.
Why use this
Students can solve 3x + 4 = 19 and still not know what x stood for. Starting from a story, and ending by putting the answer back into the story, keeps the variable attached to a meaning.
The substitution check is not a nice extra. It is how a student knows they are right without asking, and it catches most sign and order errors on its own.
How to run it
- 1.Model one problem from Sheet B on the board. Name the unknown in words first: let m be the number of marbles.6 min
- 2.Model the check. Put the answer back in the equation and write both sides.4 min
- 3.Students work on the sheet that suits them. Every problem needs the check line filled.25 min
- 4.Make your own: write a story for the given equation, swap, solve.10 min
Curriculum link
Australian Curriculum v9.0 © ACARA. Licensed CC BY 4.0. The full attribution is printed in the PDF.
Play it online at antnest.au
Thea and Faye's games on antnest.au practise the same curriculum codes. Print the sheet for the lesson, then set the game for practice at school or at home. Each opens in a new tab.