B7.2.3 · Strand 2, sub-strand 3

Variables and Equations

Writing and solving linear equations and inequalities.

1. Lesson 1 · B7.2.3.1.1 · about 45 min

   Writing Equations from Word Problems (and Back Again)

   Many everyday puzzles — sharing money among friends, working out someone's age, finding the price of one item — can be written as a short mathematical sentence called an equation. In this lesson you will learn to turn words into equations, use a flag diagram to undo the steps of a puzzle, and turn an equation back into a story.

2. Lesson 2 · B7.2.3.1.2 · about 45 min

   Solving Equations with Counters and a Balance

   An equation is just like the balance scale a trader uses at the market: both sides weigh the same. In this lesson you will use bags, counters, integer tiles and shapes on a balance to solve equations with your hands, say each move in words, and write the same moves in symbols.

3. Lesson 3 · B7.2.3.1.3 · about 45 min

   Modelling and Solving Equations with Algebra Tiles

   Algebra tiles turn letters and numbers into shapes you can see and move. A long strip stands for $x$ and a small square stands for 1. In this lesson you will build equations with tiles on an equation mat, read off the expressions they show, and solve them by removing tiles, using zero pairs and sharing equally.

4. Lesson 4 · B7.2.3.1.4 · about 50 min

   Solving Linear Equations in One Variable

   You have solved equations with counters, balances and tiles. Now you will do the same moves with symbols only, which is faster and works for any numbers — negatives, fractions and letters on both sides. This is the skill you will use in BECE questions and whenever you need to find an unknown price, age or quantity.