Practice Solving Equations and Representing Situations with Equations

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

6

Overview

In this video lesson, students consolidate their equation writing and solving skills.  They solve a variety of equations with different structures. Then they match equations to situations and solve them. Students may choose any strategy to solve equations, including drawing diagrams to reason about unknown quantities, looking at the structure of the equation, or doing the same thing to each side of the equation. Students choose efficient tools and strategies for specific problems, helping them develop flexibility and fluency in writing and solving equations.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 6

MA19.6.15

Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters represent numbers in real-world contexts.

UP:MA19.6.15

Vocabulary

  • Expressions
  • Term
  • Coefficient
  • Sum
  • Product
  • Factor
  • Quotient
  • Variable
  • Constant
  • Difference
  • Evaluate
  • Order of Operations
  • Exponent
  • Absolute Value

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Correct usage of mathematical symbolism to model the terms sum, term, product, factor, quotient, variable, difference, constant, and coefficient when they appear in verbally stated contexts.
  • Conventions for order of operations.
  • Convention of using juxtaposition (5A or xy) to indicate multiplication.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Translate fluently between verbally stated situations and algebraic models of the situation.
  • Use operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation) fluently with the conventions of parentheses and order of operations to evaluate expressions for specific values of variables in expressions.
  • Use terminology related to algebraic expressions such as sum, term, product, factor, quotient, or coefficient, to communicate the meanings of the expression and the parts of the expression.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The structure of mathematics allows for terminology and techniques used with numerical expressions to be used in an analogous way with algebraic expressions, (the sum of 3 and 4 is written as 3 + 4, so the sum of 3 and y is written as 3 + y).
  • When language is ambiguous about the meaning of a mathematical expression grouping, symbols and order of operations conventions are used to communicate the meaning clearly.
  • Moving fluently among representations of mathematical situations (words, numbers, symbols, etc.), as needed for a given situation, allows a user of mathematics to make sense of the situation and choose appropriate and efficient paths to solutions.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 6

MA19.6.19

Write and solve an equation in the form of x+p=q or px=q for cases in which p, q, and x are all non-negative rational numbers to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

UP:MA19.6.19

Vocabulary

  • Variable
  • Equation
  • Non-negative rational numbers

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Correct translation between verbally stated situations and mathematical symbols and notation.
  • How to write and solve a simple equation using non-negative rational numbers to solve mathematical and real-world problems.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Translate fluently between verbally stated situations and algebraic models of the situation.
  • Use inverse operations and properties of equality to produce solutions to equations of the forms x + p = q or px = q.
  • Use logical reasoning and properties of equality to justify solutions, reasonableness of solutions, and solution paths.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Variables may be unknown values that we wish to find.
  • The solution to the equation is a value for the variable which, when substituted into the original equation, results in a true mathematical statement.
  • A symbolic representation of relevant features of a real-world problem can provide for resolution of the problem and interpretation of the situation.
  • The structure of mathematics present in the properties of the operations and equality can be used to maintain equality while rearranging equations, as well as justify steps in the solutions of equations.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

PD
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