Eureka Grade 8 Module 4 Lesson 1

Eureka Grade 8 Module 4 Lesson 1

By Shangaleza Robinson

Writing Equations Using Symbols

​Grade 8 M4 L1

Students write mathematical statements using symbols to represent numbers.

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Students know that written statements can be written as more than one correct mathematical sentence.

This lesson

​- Name of Author

The content of this lesson continues to develop the skills and concepts presented in Grades 6 and 7. Specifically, this lesson builds on both 6.EE.B.7 (Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑝𝑝 = 𝑞𝑞 and 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑞𝑞) and 7.EE.B.4 (Solve word problems leading to equations of the form 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 + 𝑞𝑞 = 𝑟𝑟 and 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑞𝑞) = 𝑟𝑟).

​The content of this lesson continues to develop the skills and concepts presented in Grades 6 and 7. Specifically, this lesson builds on both 6.EE.B.7 (Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form 𝑥+ 𝑝=𝑞 and 𝑝x= 𝑞) and 7.EE.B.4 (Solve word problems leading to equations of the form 𝑝x+ 𝑞 = 𝑟 and 𝑝(𝑥+𝑞)=𝑟).

​Using letters to represent numbers in mathematical statements was introduced by René Descartes in the 1600s. In that era, people used only words to describe mathematical statements. The use of letters, or symbols, to represent numbers not only brought clarity to mathematical statements, it also expanded the horizons of mathematics.