Additional Algebra Skills Needed

to Solve Equations

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21st Century Lessons – Teacher Preparation

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Lesson Overview, Teacher Notes on each
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Lesson Overview (1 of 4)
Lesson Objective OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to efficiently solve equations
by thoughtful selection of first moves, eliminating fractional
coefficients and distributing negative signs.
LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE: Students will discuss with a partner
potential solution moves in order to better understand the
reasoning for selecting a particular first move.

Lesson Description This is the second in a series on basics of solving equations.

This lesson covers some more sophisticated ideas involved in
solving equations. Students explore selecting a first move
where they come to understand the value in scanning and
assessing options before taking action to find the most
efficient means of solving. They will develop skill in
distributing a negative sign using distributive property and in
eliminating fractional coefficients by multiplying by the
denominator of the fraction. These skills enable students to
add sophistication to their equation solving skills.

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Lesson Overview (2 of 4)
Lesson Vocabulary Distributive property, negative, coefficient, constant,
denominator

Materials independent class work, homework, exit slip, powerpoint,

calling sticks

Common Core 8EEc7b - Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients,
State Standard including equations whose solutions require expanding
expressions using the distributive property and collecting like
terms. http://www.corestandards.org/

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Lesson Overview (3 of 4)
Scaffolding The frequent turn-and-talk strategy used throughout the lesson is a
method utilized to aid student understanding by giving them time to
think and to hear the thinking of others besides the teacher. This is a
great strategy for both ELL students and for students with learning
differences. The work is scaffolded with many opportunities for
guided practice and color coding for each new move.

Enrichment Students seeking additional challenges will find challenging work on

both the class work and homework worksheets. Here is some
challenging online practice:
http://www.algebralab.org/practice/practice.aspx?file=algebra1_3-
3.xml
Online http://www.algebra-class.com/solving-algebra-equations.html
Resources for Good LearnZillion lessons on this topic:
Absent https://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/560-solve-linear-equations-in-
Students one-variable
https://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/560-solve-linear-equations-in-
one-variable

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Lesson Overview (4 of 4)
Before and After The work of solving equations has been built upon through
previous grades and also the ratios and proportions 8th grade unit.
In 6th grade for example students have solved basic equations and
they have created equivalent expressions using the distributive
property and combining like terms. The work is solidified in 7th
grade using numbers in any form (decimals, fractions, and negative
numbers) and relying more heavily on the properties of the
operations. This lesson follows algebra work looking at
expressions and graphs and the previous lesson titled Introduction
to Solving Equations covers basics of solving equations. Later
lessons will move into solving systems of equations and reasoning
about the shape and characteristics of the graph of a line by
looking at an equation, often requiring manipulations first –
manipulations that this lesson provides the skills for.

Topic Background A nice history of solving equations can be found here:

http://faculty.etsu.edu/gardnerr/Galois/history-of-equations.htm

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Warm Up
OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to efficiently solve equations by thoughtful selection
of first moves, eliminating fractional coefficients and distributing negative signs.
LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE: Students will discuss with a partner potential solution moves
in order to better understand the reasoning for selecting a particular first move.

Evaluate. Simplify.

j 1 2
¸ = l 5(n + 6 + 2p) =
6 3

k 2 1
¸ =
m -3(2x + 4) =
3 6

Answers Agenda
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 Agenda:
OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to efficiently solve equations by thoughtful selection
of first moves, eliminating fractional coefficients and distributing negative signs.
LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE: Students will discuss with a partner potential solution moves
in order to better understand the reasoning for selecting a particular first move.

1) Warm Up – basic skills review - YOU

2) Mini-Lesson #1 – Picking a First Move - ME
3) Mini-Lesson #2 – Shortcut for a Fractional Coefficient – ME
4) Guided Practice – practice solving equations – US
5) Mini-Lesson #3 – Distributing a Negative Sign – ME
6) Guided Practice – practice solving equations – US
7) Independent Practice – practice solving equations – YOU
8) Assessment – Exit Ticket - YOU

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 Launch
Mini-lesson #1: Picking a First Move
Ex. 1 3m + 13 = 5m + 6 Solve using the symbolic method.
Did you get m = 7/2 or 3½ for a solution?
What was your first move?
Turn and Talk:
Take turns speaking with a partner to share your
first move. Was it the same? If not, ask your
partner why he or she chose that move first.

Agenda
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 Launch
There is more than 1 first move from which to choose.
Ex. 1 3m + 13 = 5m + 6

- 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6 OR - 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6
3m 3m 5m 5m
13 = 2m + 6 -2m + 13 = 6
-6 -6 - 13 - 13
Will there be 2 different solutions? Let’s find out!
7 = 2m st
-2m = -7
2 2 Either 1 move can -2 -2
be used to get the
7/2 = m same result. m = 7/2

Agenda
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 Launch
There is more than 1 first move from which to choose.
Ex. 1 3m + 13 = 5m + 6

- 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6 OR - 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6
3m 3m 5m 5m
13 = 2m + 6 -2m + 13 = 6
Are there any other first moves?

Turn and Talk: Discuss with your partner. See if you

can work together to find all the possible first moves.

Agenda
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 Launch
3m + 13 = 5m + 6 3m + 13 = 5m + 6
- 13 - 13 -6 -6
3m = 5m + -7 3m + 7 = 5m

3m + 13 = 5m + 6

- 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6 - 3m + 13 =- 5m + 6
3m 3m 5m 5m
13 = 2m + 6 -2m + 13 = 6
Turn and Talk: Is there
These are allone
thefirst move first
possible that steps.
is better to use?
Why do youDothink
theythat one isinbetter
all result than the
the same others?
solution?
Agenda
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Launch
3m + 13 = 5m + 6 3m + 13 = 5m + 6
- 13 - 13 -6 -6
3m = 5m + -7 3m + 7 = 5m
- 5m - 5m - 3m - 3m
-2m = -7 7 = 2m
-2 -2 2 2
m = 7/2 These two first moves are similar. 7/2 = m

3m + 13 = 5m + 6 3m + 13 = 5m + 6
- 3m - 3m - 5m - 5m
13 = 2m + 6 -2m + 13 = 6
-6 -6 - 13 - 13
7 = 2m -2m = -7
2 2 -2 -2
7/2 = m m = 7/2 Agenda

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14 create a negative with your first move.
 Launch

This order of moves is the way most solutions will

be presented in examples. Although it is important
to realize that there are many possible first moves.

3m + 13 = 5m + 6
- 3m - 3m
13 = 2m + 6 In general, a preferable order of
-6 -6
7 = 2m moves would minimize the need to
2 2 calculate with negative numbers,
7/2 = m fractions, or decimals.

Agenda
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 Launch
Mini-lesson #2: Shortcut for a fractional coefficient.
Ex. 2 8 + ¼b = 5 Solve for b. Check your answer.
–8 –8
Why is subtracting 8 a better first
¼b = -3 We know
move thatsubtracting
than ¼ is attached
¼b?to the b
¼ ¼ by multiplication and the way to
undo a coefficient is to divide by the
coefficient. But there is a faster way
to undo this coefficient because it is
a fraction.

Agenda
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 Launch
1
How to cancel the fractional coefficient 4
:
8+ b=5
1
4 8+ b=51
4
–8 –8 –8 –8
b = -3
1
4 4( b) =(-3)4
1
4
1 1
4 4
b = -12
-3 ÷14 =
-3  4 =
1
Remember that when you divide
- 3  4= -12 by a fraction you multiply by the
1 1
reciprocal. So if you multiply both
b = -12 sides by 4 you will cancel the 14 .

Agenda
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Practice: Solve for the variable, substitute to check

1.) -6 + x = -5
1
3 2.) 1
2 x + 9 = - x + 12
1
4

n 1
3.) 0 = 4 + This is the same as n
5 5

Answers Agenda
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Practice
Mini-lesson #3: Distributing a negative sign.
Ex. 3 Let’s review the
14 = – (p – 8) Wait, what happened?
distributive property:
14 = – p + 8
–8 –8 -(p) = -1(p) = -p
2(x – 5)
6 = -p -(-8) =2x-1(-8)
-1 -1 – 10 = +8
-6 = p Now, solve for p.

Agenda
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Practice: Solve for the variable, substitute to check

4.) -8 = –(x + 4) 5.) 12 = – (-6x – 3)

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6.) –(y – 2) + = 3(y + 1)
2

Answers Agenda
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Practice: Independent Class work

Answers Next blank section Agenda

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Practice: Class worksheet

Exit Slip Go to Answers Agenda

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Practice: Class worksheet

Exit Slip Go to Answers Agenda

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Practice: Class worksheet

Exit Slip Go to Answers Agenda

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Exit Slip

Agenda
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 21st Century Lessons
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 21st Century Lessons
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Teacher Development and Advancement

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