Unit 6, Lesson 5
Reasoning about Equations and Tape Diagrams (Part 2)
Grade 7
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
This lesson parallels the previous one, except the focus is on situations that lead to equations of the form Tape diagrams are used to help students understand why these situations can be represented with equations of this form, and to help them reason about solving equations of this form. Students also attend to the meaning of the equation’s solution in the context (MP2). Note that we are not generalizing solution methods yet; just using diagrams as a tool to reason about solving equations.
- Coordinate tape diagrams, equations of the form $p(x+q)=r$, and verbal descriptions of the situations.
- Explain (orally and in writing) how to use a tape diagram to determine the value of an unknown quantity in an equation of the form $p(x+q)=r$.
- Interpret (in writing) the solution to an equation in the context of the situation it represents.
Let’s use tape diagrams to help answer questions about situations where the equation has parentheses.
Required Preparation
For the digital version of the activity, acquire devices that can run the applet.