Modeling Equations Lab

Name________________________

Directions: Model each problem on your equation mats with the tiles. Then, record your work on this paper.

1. Solve: x + 3 = 5

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the negative tiles on the mat. How many zero pairs do you have on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Your final answer is x = _____Check your answer.

KEY:x + -

2. Solve: x – 2 = 5

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

3. Solve: x – 4 = -3

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

4. Solve: x + -4 = -2

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

5. Solve: x + 3 = -1

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

6. Solve: x + 10 = -2

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them)

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

7. Solve: x – (-3) = -1

Model the problem on the scale below.

What do you need to do to isolate the variable?

Place the appropriate tiles on the mat to make zero pairs. How many zero pairs do you have

on each side?

Take away the zero pairs (indicate this by circling them).

Write your final answer: _____ Check your answer.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did we use a picture of a balance in our model?

2. What is the main goal when solving an equation?

3. Identify the main math property used in the process of solving an equation.

4. Why are zero pairs (Inverse Property) necessary to solve an equation?

5. Draw a different representation for solving x + 4 = 6

6. Write a rule that you can use to solve an equation like x + 3 = 2 without using models.

Draw tiles onto the below balance scales in order to model the following:

1. x + -3 = 4 2. 3 + x = 1

3. x + (-2) = 2 4. x – 4 = -2

5. x – (-2) = 5 6. x – (-5) = 3

7. 4 + x = 3 8. x + (-1) = -1

Math-7 PRACTICE DATE: ______/_______/_______NAME:__________________________

“Modeling Equations”