Modeling Equations Lab

Name________________________________________________ Date: ___/___/_____

Directions: Model each problem on your equation mats with the tiles. Then, record your work on this paper.

1. Solve: x + 3 = 5

Step 1: Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? ______________________

Step 2: Place the negative tiles on the mat. Remember– whatever you add to one side,

you MUST add to the other side!

How many zero pairs do you have on each side? _____________

Step 3: Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them). What’s left?

x = _____

Step 4: Check your answer by substituting answer back into original problem:

KEY:x + - Golden Rule of

Algebra:Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!!

Objective: The purpose of this lab is to practice MODELING the process of solving anequation. The concept of “balancing” will be emphasized.

2. Solve: x – 2 = 5

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

3. Solve: x – 4 = -3

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

4. Solve: x + -4 = -2

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

5. Solve: x + 3 = -1

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

6. Solve: x + 10 = -2

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

7. Solve: x – (-3) = -1

Model the problem on the scale below:

What do you need to do to isolate the variable? _____________________________

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have on each side? __________________________________________________

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____

Check your answer:

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did we use a picture of a balance in our model?

2. What is the main goal when solving an equation?

3. Identify the main math property that we used while solving our equations.

4. Why are zero pairs (Inverse Property) necessary to solve an equation?

5. Write a rule that you can use to solve an equation like x + 3 = 2 without using models.

EXIT TICKET

1. I fully participated in the lab today, completing every equation in the

packet.

A. True B. False (only completed a portion)

2. Model the below equation on the given mat. Show the entire process, circling any zero pairs needed.

x + (-4) = -2

x = _____

3. How is the Inverse Property of Addition used when solving an equation?

4. In your own words, describe the Golden Rule of Algebra.

5. Identify one thing that you learned during today’s lab/ class discussion–

about the process of solving an equation.

Name:__________________________________________________________ Date:____/____/_______

Draw tiles onto the below balance scales in order to model the following:

1. x + -3 = 4 2. 3 + x = 1

3. x + (-2) = 2 4. x – 4 = -2

5. x – (-2) = 5 6. x – (-5) = 3

7. 4 + x = 3 8. x + (-1) = -1

Math-7 homework NAME:___________________________________________________________________________ DATE: _____/_____/__________

“Modeling Equations”

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____

x = _____