Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Equations and Formulas

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Your class is asked to use inverse operations to solve eleven equations for unknown variables or to rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest. By using the same reasoning as solving one- and two-step equations, algebra...
Activity
Noyce Foundation

The Wheel Shop

For Students K - 12th Standards
Teach solving for unknowns through a problem-solving approach. The grouping of five lessons progresses from finding an unknown through simple reasoning to solving simultaneous equations involving three and four variables. Each lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Class Trip

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Mrs. Moore's class is trying to earn money for a trip to the science museum, but how much more do they need? Solve this problem with your own class as they develop their ability to model real-life situations algebraically. As an added...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Guess My Number

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Make a game out of solving equations. This particular activity works well for pairs of learners. Follow the instructions to have player one pick a number and player two verbally give an equation. Participants need to make sense of a...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Finding an Unknown Angle

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Teach your class how to apply their knowledge of geometry as they explore the unknown. In order to find an unknown angle, students must understand that rectangles have four interior right angles, that right angles have 90 degrees, and...
Activity
Noyce Foundation

On Balance

For Students K - 12th Standards
Investigate the world of unknown quantities with a creative set of five lessons that provides problem situations for varying grade levels. Each problem presents a scenario of fruit with different weights and a balance scale. Using the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rounding and Subtracting

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Common Core is all about getting your learners to open their minds and think about the why and how. This problem has them thinking about unknown numbers and their relationship with one another when we round and...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Pairs of Whole Numbers

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Mathematical reasoning and linear systems are two of the strategies used to solve this number puzzle. Your learners will enjoy the challenge and the variety of ways to approach this challenge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basketball

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Tap into the competitive nature of teenagers as your class practices setting up and solving rational equations. This activity starts with a specific ratio of games won to games played, then asks how many more games must be played to...
Lesson Plan
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Illustrative Mathematics

Morning Walk

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
Sometimes young algebra learners don't understand why they need to create an equation when they can just figure out the answer with it. This activity tries to encourage creating simple equations by balancing the use of more complicated...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Ramp and Review (for High School)

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Rolling for momentum. As part of a study of mechanical energy, momentum, and friction, class members experiment rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide with a cup. Groups take multiple measurements and perform...
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Windy Tunnel

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Lift—it is about the wing's attack. Using a virtual wind tunnel, pupils investigate wing shape and angle of attack. Learners use worksheets to record their observations and to convert verbal relationships into mathematical equations in...
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Solving Rational Expressions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will solve rational equations for unknown variables, use given information to create rational equations, and determine the relationship between rational expressions.
Activity
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Web Math: Solve a Linear Equation Involving One Unknown

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This WebMath site explains how to enter your equation with one variable and solve for that variable. It explains step-by-step how to solve the equations and gives the final solutions.
Activity
Wyzant

Wyzant: Equation Calculator

For Students 9th - 10th
Students can input an equation and have the site solve it for them, complete with steps shown and explanations given along the way. Equations must be simple, first- or second-degree with only one variable. A quick list of rules to follow...
Activity
United Nations

Unesco: Algebra Review (In Arabic)

For Students 6th - 9th
This page, part of a larger UNESCO site on math and science education, has 15 basic, open- and multiple-choice algebra questions, with the correct answer immediately following the question. Entirely in Arabic.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: The Balancing Act

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are given the opportunity to visualize and interact with concepts they have already learned, specifically algebraic equations and solving for unknown variables. Students construct a balancing seesaw system (LEGO Balance Scale)...
Activity
Illustrative Mathematics

Illustrative Mathematics: 3.oa the Class Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
The purpose of this instructional task is for students to solve a two-step word problem and represent the unknown quantity with a variable. This task also addresses the concept of scarcity. Aligns with CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8 Solve...