Systems of Equations

By Curtis Nichols (9-12 classroom)

	Book 1 (134 K)		Book 2 (191 K)
	Book 3 (560 K)		Book 4 (568 K)

When you introduce this material, lay out the materials in two rows, 1 equation in each row (with concrete materials for units, x's and y's.) Have something to separate the sides of the equations (an = sign on a card works well.) Example: x+y=5 and x+2y=8. Grasp all the materials on one side of the equation (x+y) and ask, "What does this equal? (Ans: 5.) Then grasp the other side in your other hand and say, "X+Y (move 1st hand) equals 5 (move other hand.)" Now pick up PART of one side of the second equation (x+y) and part of the other side of the second equation (5) and say, "So these are equal?" (ans: yes.) Now say, "So we can take 5 from both sides of this equation" and remove the x+y from one side (leaving y) and the 5 from the other side (leaving 3.)
Now you can go back and reverse the process, asking what the y from the second equation equals, taking the y from the first equation and 3 from the 5 in the first equation and saying, "So we can take 3 from both sides of this equation (leaving x = 2.)
Be sure to always speak in this kind of concrete way when working with the students.

Teacher-to-Teacher Sharing

Edited by
Curtis J. Nichols

Archives at: 04/27/2003 - 05/03/2003 05/04/2003 - 05/10/2003 05/18/2003 - 05/24/2003 05/25/2003 - 05/31/2003 06/01/2003 - 06/07/2003 06/15/2003 - 06/21/2003 06/22/2003 - 06/28/2003 08/31/2003 - 09/06/2003 09/28/2003 - 10/04/2003 08/15/2004 - 08/21/2004

Edited by Curtis J. Nichols

Edited by
Curtis J. Nichols