Translating Word Problems into Equations

This is a scripted lesson that shows students how to translate word problems into equations using seven steps. It moves from simple exercises to more elaborate word problems. There are six problems at the end for students to test their knowledge on writing and solving their equations.

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.2
Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3
Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions. For example, apply the distributive property to the expression 3 (2 + x) to...
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.5
Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or...
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.6
Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can...
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.7
Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all...
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.8
Write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize that...
CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.C.9
Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one...
CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.A.2
Understand that rewriting an expression in different forms in a problem context can shed light on the problem and how the quantities in it are...
CCSS.Math.Content.7.EE.B.4
Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by...
CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.C.7
Solve linear equations in one variable.
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4
Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a...
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.5
Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or...
GLE 0606.1.1
Use mathematical language, symbols, and definitions while developing mathematical reasoning.
GLE 0606.3.1
Write and solve two-step equations and inequalities.
GLE 0606.3.2
Interpret and represent algebraic relationships with variables in expressions, simple equations and inequalities.
GLE 0606.3.3
Extend order of operations to include grouping symbols and exponents.
GLE 0606.3.4
Use expressions, equations and formulas to solve problems.
GLE 0606.3.5
Use multiple representations including symbolic algebra to model and/or solve contextual problems that involve linear relationships.
GLE 0706.3.1
Recognize and generate equivalent forms for simple algebraic expressions.
GLE 0706.3.7
Use mathematical models involving linear equations to analyze real-world phenomena.
GLE 0706.3.8
Use a variety of strategies to efficiently solve linear equations and inequalities.
GLE 0806.1.7
Recognize the historical development of mathematics, mathematics in context, and the connections between mathematics and the real world.
GLE 0806.1.8
Use technologies/manipulatives appropriately to develop understanding of mathematical algorithms, to facilitate problem solving, and to create accurate and...
GLE 0806.3.1
Recognize and generate equivalent forms for algebraic expressions.
GLE 0806.3.2
Represent, analyze, and solve problems involving linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables.
GLE 0806.3.4
Translate among verbal, tabular, graphical and algebraic representations of linear functions.
GLE 0806.3.5
Use slope to analyze situations and solve problems.
SPI 0606.3.1
Represent on a number line the solution of a linear inequality.
SPI 0606.3.2
Use order of operations and parentheses to simplify expressions and solve problems.
SPI 0606.3.3
Write equations that correspond to given situations or represent a given mathematical relationship.
SPI 0606.3.4
Rewrite expressions to represent quantities in different ways.
SPI 0606.3.5
Translate between verbal expressions/sentences and algebraic expressions/equations.
SPI 0606.3.8
Select the qualitative graph that models a contextual situation (e.g., water filling then draining from a bathtub).
SPI 0706.3.1
Evaluate algebraic expressions involving rational values for coefficients and/or variables.
SPI 0706.3.3
Given a table of inputs x and outputs f(x), identify the function rule and continue the pattern.
SPI 0706.3.6
Solve linear equations with rational coefficients symbolically or graphically.
SPI 0706.3.7
Translate between verbal and symbolic representations of real-world phenomena involving linear equations.
SPI 0706.3.8
Solve contextual problems involving two-step linear equations.
SPI 0706.3.9
Solve linear inequalities in one variable with rational coefficients symbolically or graphically.
SPI 0806.1.2
Interpret a qualitative graph representing a contextual situation.
SPI 0806.3.2
Solve the linear equation f(x) = g(x).
SPI 0806.3.4
Translate between various representations of a linear function.
SPI 0806.3.5
Determine the slope of a line from an equation, two given points, a table or a graph.
SPI 0806.3.6
Analyze the graph of a linear function to find solutions and intercepts.
TSS.Math.6.EE.A.2
Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which variables stand for numbers.
TSS.Math.6.EE.A.3
Apply the properties of operations (including, but not limited to, commutative, associative, and distributive properties) to generate equivalent...
TSS.Math.6.EE.B.5
Understand solving an equation or inequality is carried out by determining if any of the values from a given set make the equation or inequality true. Use...
TSS.Math.6.EE.B.6
Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an...
TSS.Math.6.EE.B.7
Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving onestep equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q, and x are all...
TSS.Math.6.EE.B.8
Interpret and write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c which represents a condition or constraint in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize...
TSS.Math.6.EE.C.9
Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another.
TSS.Math.7.EE.A.2
Understand that rewriting an expression in different forms in a contextual problem can provide multiple ways of interpreting the problem and how the...
TSS.Math.7.EE.B.4
Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by...
TSS.Math.8.EE.C.7
Solve linear equations in one variable.
TSS.Math.8.F.B.4
Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description...
TSS.Math.8.F.B.5
Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear...
 
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Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying

References

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