This activity, written to comply with the NCTM Standards, and to support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) uses a fun mathematical puzzle to demonstrate solving a simple linear equation. It's an average math trick, but it's an excellent activity to demonstrate algebraic applications.URL http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Lessons/cnotes.htmlGrade Levels: 6-9 (Pre-Algebra or Algebra)
Activity Procedures:
- Show students a calendar. (Overhead transparency works nicely and can be printed from here.) and play the trick with them a couple of times. Students will say, "How did you do that?" Answer "I used algebra."
- Then demonstrate assigning variables to the different days and writing and solving the equation.
- Let students practive solving the puzzle with each other.
- Demonstrate creating a different puzzle.
- Explain how they will make their own puzzle.
Mathematics Topics: Assigning variables, solving simple linear equations, factoring
Connecting Mathematics: Connects algebra to real-world experiences.
Materials and media: A monthly calendar
Suggested Assessment: Evaluate student-designed puzzles. Observe as they play their puzzles.
Texas Curriculum Documentation:
- Algebra TEKS 111.32b - 3A; 4A; 4B
- TAAS 2a; 2f; 12a
- End-of-Course Algebra 4; 9
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