Solving Equations

Each activity here involves solving equations or investigating the rationale underlying the basic rules for solving equations. All challenge students in unique ways.

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Gone Fishing: My, My, Little Fish-How You've Grown! http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/c58/challenge.htm

The activity opens with a cartoon showing the weights of three combinations of fish. The challenge is to determine the weight of each fish. Three solutions are set out graphically and in terms that can be easily translated to algebraic symbols. An excellent introduction to the manipulation of equations and the reasoning that underlies it! MSP full record

Equation Match http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/equationmatch.html

Students must solve equations, from the most simple to more complex, and in this way find pairs of equations that "match"; that is, both equations in the pair have the same value of x. When a match is found, part of a picture is revealed. At each return to the game, a new set of equations is given. From the Maths File Game Show. MSP full record

Algebra-Fun with Calendars http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Lessons/calen.html

Clever tricks-sleight of mind, if you will-involve calendars and the patterns of numbers on them. Each "trick" is found to be an equation that simplifies to an algebraic expression. Students end by creating their own calendar problems and simplifying their own equations. From Mathematics Lessons That Are Fun! Fun! Fun!. MSP full record

Balance Beam Activity http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/users/pavel/java/balance/index.html

This simulation of a balance beam allows students to explore the meaning of balance, a key concept in developing mathematical understanding of solving equations. Working with two to four shapes of differing weights, the students must experiment to balance the virtual scale by adding shapes of unknown weights. Finally, although the weight of one shape is known, students must use basic equation principles to find the weights for the other shape or shapes. MSP full record

Algebra Balance Scales-Negatives http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_324_g_3_t_2.html

Like the Balance Beam Activity above, this online manipulative also features a virtual balance scale, but the challenge is very different. The activity offers students an experimental way to learn about solving linear equations involving negative numbers. The applet presents an equation for students to illustrate by balancing the scale, using blue blocks for positive units and variables and red balloons for negative units and variables. Students then work with the arithmetic operations to solve the equation. A record of the steps taken by the student is shown on the screen and on the scale. The applet reinforces the idea that what is done to one side of an equation must be done to the other side to maintain balance. MSP full record

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Copyright June 2006 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.