See-saw Numbers
This is a level 3 algebra strand activity from the Figure It Out series.
A PDF of the student activity is included.
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use <, >, = symbols in equations
number balance
classmate
Check that students know how to convert a number balance to an equation, for example, 7 x 1 + 3 x 1 = 5 x 2.
Questions 1c to 1f are an opportunity to introduce the use of brackets, for example,
7 + 5 + (2 x 3) < 3 + 5 + (2 x 7) rather than 7 + 5 + 3 + 3 < 3 + 5 + 7 + 7.
See also Answers and Teachers’ Notes: Algebra, Figure It Out, Levels 2–3, page 26.
Answers to Activity
1. a. 7 + 3 > 3 + 6
b. 9 + 7 = 2 x 8 [or 9 + 7 = 8 + 8]
c. 2 x 8 > 2 x 6 [or 8 + 8 > 6 + 6]
d. 7 + 5 + (2 x 3) < 3 + 5 + (2 x 7) [or 7 + 5 + 3 + 3 < 3 + 5 + 7 + 7]
e. 4 + (2 x 2) = 2 + 6 [or 4 + 2 + 2 = 2 + 6]
f. (2 x 8) + 3 + 1 > 1 + (2 x 9) [or 8 + 8 + 3 + 1 > 1 + 9 + 9]
2. Answers will vary.