Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Topics for Today:

Our discussion about solving equations moved on to situations where there are variables on both sides of an equation.  The basic properties of equality still apply when dealing with variable terms.  We used the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division properties of equality to get variables on one side, and constants on the other side of the equation.  For equations with variables on both sides, it is possible for the equation to have infinitely many solutions (identity) or no solution at all.  Students will need to be on the lookout for these special cases, which show themselves is interesting mathematical ways.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-4: Equations with Variables on Both Sides (pages 96-100)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
2) Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides and Grouping Symbols

The Distributive Property Parts 1 and 2

Topics for Today:

Today we discussed the distributive property  of multiplication over addition and subtraction.  We also used the distributive property to multiply large numbers using mental math.  We also discussed how to combine algebraic like terms, and expanded our algebra vocabulary.  We revisited translating phrases into algebraic expressions with the addition of the distributive property.

Vocabulary: constant, like terms, distributive property, coefficient, term

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is the distributive property?

Solving Two-Step Equations

Topics for Today:

Our discussion about solving equations moved on to solving 2-step equations.  The order of operations still figures in to this process, although since we are undoing operations, we go in reverse.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

2-6: Solving Two-Step Equations (pages 98-101)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) How do you solve a 2-step equation?
2) Math Antics - How to solve 2-step equations.