Practice Set · Part 1
Understand Equations and Their Solutions
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can write an equation for a real situation and check whether a given value is a solution by substituting it, explain what each part stands for, and build one for a situation I have not seen before.
The big idea: A solution is the value that makes both sides of an equation equal, so always substitute it back into the equation to test it.
Model to copy — Example · Write, then test values
- A detective has some clues. She gives away 6 clues. Now she has 9 clues left. Write an equation. Is the solution 3 or 15?
- Choose a letter for the unknown: c
- Write the equation from the story: c − 6 = 9
- Test c = 3: 3 − 6 ≠ 9 ✗
- Test c = 15: 15 − 6 = 9 ✓
- The equation is c − 6 = 9. The solution is c = 15, not 3.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Clue: "A number plus 5 equals 9." Write an equation. Then test n = 3 and n = 4. Let n be the number. Write the equation. (n + 5 = 9) Test n = 3. Is it a solution? (No. 3 + 5 = 8, and 8 is not 9.) Test n = 4. Is it a solution? (Yes. 4 + 5 = 9.) Why does substituting tell you if a value is a solution? (A solution must make both sides equal. Substituting shows if the two sides match.)Show your work - 2
Warm restartReflect the point (4, 3) across the x-axis. What are the new coordinates?
- A(3, 4)
- B(4, −3)
- C(−4, 3)
- D(−4, −3)
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartReflect the point (−2, 5) across the y-axis.
- A(2, 5)
- B(−2, −5)
- C(2, −5)
- D(5, −2)
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartWhen you reflect a point across the x-axis, which coordinate changes sign?
- AThe y-coordinate
- BThe x-coordinate
- CBoth of them
- DNeither of them
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Understand Equations and Their Solutions
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it throughSolve p + 14 = 37.
- Ap = 14
- Bp = 23
- Cp = 37
- Dp = 51
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughWhy subtract 14 from BOTH sides?
- ATo keep the equation balanced while isolating p
- BBecause subtraction is easier than addition
- CBecause 14 is the smaller number
- DTo make the answer a whole number
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughCheck your answer: does 23 work?
- AYes — 23 + 14 = 37
- BNo — 23 + 14 = 47
- CNo — 23 − 14 = 9
- DYou cannot check an equation
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelHow did you decide what expression to put on each side of the balance?
Practice Set · Part 3
Understand Equations and Their Solutions
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- A math sentence that says two amounts are equal, with an = sign, is an ___.
- A letter that stands for an unknown number is a ___.
- The symbol = that shows two amounts are the same is the ___.
- A group of numbers and variables with no equal sign is an ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Write Equations is writing subtraction and division clues in the wrong order — putting the number from the clue first instead of the variable first. - 10
Say moreOn the balance scale you put n + 8 on one side and 20 on the other. How did you decide what belongs on each side of the equal sign?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: Detective Ruiz pins a clue to the case board: 'A number of stolen gems, plus 8 more found in the safe, equals 20 gems in all.'
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Understand Equations and Their Solutions
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 7.9. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — Which value is the solution of n + 5 = 9, and how do you know?
- An = 3, because 3 is close to 4
- Bn = 4, because 4 + 5 = 9 is true
- Cn = 5, because 5 appears in the equation
- Dn = 14, because 9 + 5 = 14
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 7.9Explain your thinking — What is the reflection of (-5, 2) over the y-axis?
- A(-5, -2)
- B(2, -5)
- C(5, -2)
- D(5, 2)
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 7.9Reflecting over the y-axis changes which coordinate?
- AOnly the y-coordinate
- BOnly the x-coordinate
- CBoth coordinates
- DNeither coordinate
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can write an equation for a real situation and check whether a given value is a solution by substituting it, explain what each part stands for, and build one for a situation I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: A solution is the value that makes both sides of an equation equal… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time