An interesting way to look at the kitchen floor is to count the number of tiles in the border. Fred starts with four white floor tiles and writes an expression for the number of tiles needed for the colored border. Algebra learners are...

Somewhat of a puzzle, this problem gets pre-algebra preteens to write an expression representing a seating chart using triangle-shaped tables. This single task is an applicable lesson for meeting sixth grade Common Core math standards....

Your young landscapers do concentration calculations in this problem dealing with mixing fertilizer. Learners use and analyze rational expressions within this context.

If you think Dr. Seuss has no place in a math classroom, then take a look at this resource. Based on the classic children's book Green Eggs and Ham, this sequence of activities engages children learning to model real-world contexts...

Learn the stories a formula holds. An interesting lesson takes a unique approach to teach how to use formulas. Beginning with a formula, learners predict what the variables stand for and then use the formula to make calculations and tell...

Ask your algebra learners to write an equation that has unit constraints. This commentary talks about the constraints, but does not show them in the equation. It is important that your mathematicians understand that the units apply to...

Subway orders are the same in every language, right? An inquiry-based lesson presents a Subway ordering board from an Asian country. Given an order, learners must determine the cost by comparing symbols of the order to the symbols on the...

We use debt often to describe negative numbers and your learners will be able to see how it translates into math. They will be asked to go through a series of transactions and make simple equations for each one, following it with a...

Playing with values in this fruit salad problem allows learners to find out how many cherries were mixed in. Your middle schoolers can organize their thoughts in a chart before going into the equation. Eigth graders can skip the chart...

It is important for the algebra learner to understand the use of parentheses. Mathematicians of all levels can make errors with nested parentheses. This will give them some practice. It makes for a good class starter or quick assessment.

Collaboration is the key for this equation-solving lesson. Learners solve a multi-step linear equation that requires using the distributive property. Within collaborative groups, scholars discuss multiple methods and troubleshoot mistakes.

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...

The behavior of a rational function near a vertical asymptote is the focus around this trip up a river. Specifically, numerical and graphical understanding is studied. The canoe context pushes the variables as numbers, rather than as...

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...

Creating an expression to represent the perimeter of a rectangle is a fundamental beginning skill in learning how to use and define variables. This activity starts with the basics and can be followed up with additional tasks. 

The Egyptians used unit fractions to describe all other fractions. Your class will rewrite rational expressions in order to deduce information about rational numbers. The activity starts with specific fractions, guides you through a few...

What would your dream house look like? A cottage? A medieval castle? High schoolers enrolled in Algebra design the perfect house while using slopes to write equations for various aspects of the project.

Buying a new sofa? Learn how to use the Pythagorean Theorem, as well as algebra and graphing techniques, to determine whether the sofa will fit around a corner (which I'm sure you'll agree is a very important consideration!).

Help young mathematicians build a solid understanding of division with this base ten block activity. With the help of these popular math manipulatives, children model different math problems in order to reinforce the...

Learners are given a graph of a parabola on a coordinate system, but intercepts and vertex are not labeled. The task is to analyze eight given quadratic functions and determine which ones might possibly be represented by the graph. The...

An upper-level treatment of what is often presented as a basic concept (the right angle of an inscribed circle on the diameter), this activity really elevates the mathematical thought of the learner! Expected to develop formulas...

This resource discusses translating verbal expressions to variable expressions. It explains how to look for key words, then gives an example of the process in great detail.

These questions measure knowledge and skills: order of operations; solving equations in one variable; graphing linear equations; writing linear expressions and equations; finding the y-intercept of a linear function.

Use this lesson to get a clear explanation of how to translate word problems into mathematical equations. Included is a table for common phrases and their mathematical symbols. Use the examples as guides for working on your own problems....