Keeping it balanced! Equation Solving.

In math class, we have often compared solving an equation to a...

• hanging block puzzle, balance beam, or mobile

• merry-go-round

• bumper car

• a Valentine's Day card

To keep an equation balanced when solving, whatever you do to one side of the equation, you...

• must do to the other side

• must always add

• just guess and check until you get the answer

• always divide by 2

The goal of solving an equation is to...

• find the missing/unknown value (variable)

• have fun

• not get the correct answer so you fail math class

• use order of operations

Look at the equation shown. If someone could not solve for the missing number (box) in their head, what operation could they do to figure out that the correct answer is 3?

• subtract 2 from both sides

• subtract 5 from both sides

• add 2 to both sides

• add 5 to both sides

Which statement below best translates the equation shown?

• 4 times a number "h" equals 36

• 4 plus a number "h" equals 36

• 4 minus a number "h" equals 36

• 4 divided by a number "h" equals 36

Solve the equation shown for "h."

• 9

• 12

• 32

• 144

Solve for the missing value in the equation shown.

• 30

• 11

• 1

• -11

Solve for the missing value in the equation shown.

• -12

• 0

• 12

• 24

Look at the visual model shown. Which equation COULD NOT represent this model? (if hearts are "h" and arrows are "a")

• $2h\ +\ 2a\ =\ 5a$

• $2h\ +\ 8\ =\ 20$

• $4h\ =\ 20$

Look at the visual model of the equation. If someone wanted to make fewer arrows in order for it to be easier to solve, what could they do to keep the equation balanced?

• take away 2 arrows from each side

• take away 2 arrows from the left side only

• take away 2 arrows from the left side and take away 5 arrows from the right side

• take away 5 arrows from the left side and take away 2 arrows from the right side