Putting pens to paper
This is a level 3 algebra strand activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers' notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Use symbols in equations.
Putting pens to paper
Achievement objectives
NA3-6: Record and interpret additive and simple multiplicative strategies, using words, diagrams, and symbols, with an understanding of equality.
Required materials
- a classmate
- Figure it out, Level 3, Algebra, "Putting pens to paper", page 20
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Putting pens to paper activity (.pdf)
Activity
Activity 1
This activity develops students’ logic and reasoning. It will involve students looking at
combinations of equations in order to select the one that is correct. Again, the use of a table may help. The first example of the goat enclosure could be developed as follows: If pen A has:
A |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B |
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C |
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and A + B = 8, therefore pen B must have:
A |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
C |
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and A + C = 9, therefore pen C must have:
A |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
C |
8 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
B + C = 11
For B + C to equal 11, B has to have five and C has to have six, which is when A has three. Similar tables can be developed for the other questions.
It is possible to solve these problems by using quite complex equations, but students will not yet be using the level of algebra required to do such equations.
Activity 2
Refer to the activity PDF.
Activity 1
1.
3 goats in pen A, 5 in pen B, and 6 in pen C
2.
a. 2 otters in pen A, 7 in pen B, and 3 in pen C
b. 2 monkeys in pen A, 9 in pen B, 7 in pen C, and 3 in pen D
c. 10 meerkats in pen A, 3 in pen B, 5 in pen C, and 2 in pen D
d. 6 birds in pen A, 1 in pen B, 3 in pen C, and 7 in pen D
Activity 2
Answers will vary.
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