From Patterns And Pictures To Equations

Write an equation for an unknown from a pattern or a balance picture, and learn the words equation, LHS, RHS and solving.

5 micro-lessons

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What Is an Equation?

Two expressions joined by '=', and solving means finding what makes them equal.

Position 1 has 2 × 1 + 1 = 3 sticks, position 2 has 2 × 2 + 1 = 5, position 3 has 2 × 3 + 1 = 7.

So position n has 2n + 1 sticks. For Jasmine's 99 sticks we need the n that makes

$2n + 1 = 99$

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Writing equations for the book's mobiles and scales.

Problem. Frame equations for Figs. 7.6 to 7.11, using a letter for the unknown weight. (Textbook p. 168)

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Equation, LHS, RHS, solving and framing.

Equation words (Textbook p. 167)

Equation: two expressions with '=' between them, e.g.

2 n + 1 = 99

LHS / RHS: the left and right sides of the '='.

Solving: finding the value of the letter-number that makes LHS = RHS.

Framing: choosing a letter for the unknown and writing the equality that the story or picture gives.

Match each balance picture to its equation.

NoteMatch each picture to the equation it gives.

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Terms

Definitions

Write your own equations and try to solve them.

Frame and solve

Math Talk, Textbook pp. 167–168.

Can a matchstick arrangement in this sequence use exactly 200 sticks? Use the equation 2n + 1 = 200.
Frame 5 equations of your own, from pictures, patterns or stories. Say what each letter stands for, and try to solve each one.

What kind of number is 2n + 1?

Two expressions joined by '=', and solving means finding what makes them equal.

Position 1 has 2 × 1 + 1 = 3 sticks, position 2 has 2 × 2 + 1 = 5, position 3 has 2 × 3 + 1 = 7.

So position n has 2n + 1 sticks. For Jasmine's 99 sticks we need the n that makes

$2n + 1 = 99$

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