Equation Lessons

In algebra a variable represents an unknown number.  Which of the following represents the variable in Hands On Equations?

• the balance
• the blue pawn
• the red cubes
• the yellow mat

The  X in the equation
2X + 3 =  X + 9 represents...

• a number cube
• nothing
• a blue pawn
• =

The scale represents a(n) _____  equation.

• Unequal
• Positive
• Negative
• Balanced

In all Hands On Equations, both sides of the balance or equal sign need to be _________.

• unbalanced
• equal
• unequal
• different

In the following equation, X = 5.
3X + 5 = 4X
 What would your check be?

• 20 = 20
• 5 = 5
• 5 = 20
• X = X

In the following equation X = 6.
X + 10 = 2X +4
What would your check be?

• 6 = 6
• 16 = 16
• 20 = 20
• 10 = 4

x + 1 + 2x= 2x + 7

• x= 2
• x= 6
• x= 3

x + 7 + 3x = x + 16

• x= 3
• x= 2
• x= 7

When checking what answer do you get?
x + x + 2x = 24

• 6=6
• 20=20
• 24=24

How should you remove pawns and/or cubes from the balance scale?

• Remove the same amount or values from both sides at the same time using both hands.
• Take off whatever you need.
• Remove whatever you need to make both sides look identical.
• You can't remove anything.