Lesson Plan: Launching the Systems of Equations Unit – 2009

This lesson is designed as a contextual introduction to the unit on systems of equations. Ideally the class will initially
apply guess and check strategies to a problem, and slowly add algebraic reasoning until a system of equations has been
decided upon. This problem is designed so that there is not a clean integer solution - students using guess and check
will be able to find an approximate answer through determined effort, but a precise answer is rewarded only to those
who apply algebraic reasoning.
1. Objective Mathematically represent, solve, and analyze an interesting problem
2. Agenda
• Problem Introduction
• Work Time
• Partner Swap / share-out
• Algebraic guiding
3. The Problem The tortoise and the hare have devised a staggered race. The tortoise begins the race at mile
mark 6 and sets off towards the end. At the same time, the hare sets off from mile mark 1. If the tortoise can
cover five miles in four hours, and the hare can do seven miles in three hours, when will they cross paths and
exactly how far will they have travelled?
4. Instructions Before working out your solution: represent the problem in a simple cartoon, make a labeled
diagram with the information, and re-phrase the question. Keep a record of the work you do as you solve the
problem.
5. Teacher Notes This problem can be represented elegantly with a system of equations:
5
y= x+6 Tortoise (1)
4
7
y = x+1 Hare (2)
3

Students may notice though that the intersection can be found by finding when 54 x + 6 = 73 x + 1 and therefore
skip over the system.
Students struggling to represent the problem algebraically may need to think more concretely, in a table of
data. This presents a good opportunity to reinforce some work with rates. 45 miles per hour is how many miles
per minute? Feet per minute? Count up with those until the ideal point is found.
6. Solution
5
y= x+6 Tortoise (3)
4
7
y = x+1 Hare (4)
3
5 7
x+6= x+1 Substitution (5)
4 3
7 5
x− x=5 Reflexive Prop + Addition Prop (6)
3 4
28x − 15x = 60 · 60 Mult Prop (7)
13x = 60 (8)
8
x=4 hr = 4.615384hr (9)
13
 
5 60
y= +6 Substitution (10)
4 13
75 10
y =6+ mi = 11 mi = 11.769230mi (11)
13 13
8 10
So the toirtoise and the hare will cross paths after 4 13 hours, and they will cross at the 11 13 mile mark.
 b

7. Extensions For students who finish early, ask them to provide a graph to support their answer. Provide a
table of information based on the problem.
8. Discussion questions to ask the class throughout this activity
• What would a graph for this problem look like?
• How could you solve this problem using a table?
• Between what hour what and what do they cross paths? Between mile what and what do they cross
paths? (general whole number guesses)
• How could you set this problem up algebraically?
• What would a more elegant strategy look like?
The Tortoise and the Hare – 2009

1. The Tortoise and the Hare

The tortoise and the hare have devised a staggered race. The tortoise begins the race at mile
mark 6 and sets off towards the end. At the same time, the hare sets off from mile mark 1. If the
tortoise can cover five miles in four hours, and the hare can do seven miles in three hours, when will
they cross paths and exactly how far will they have travelled?
2. Instructions Before working out your solution: represent the problem in a simple cartoon, make a labeled
diagram with the information, and re-phrase the question. Keep a record of the work you do as you solve the
problem.