In this lesson students match descriptions of situations with the linear equations that represent the situations, then they rewrite similar linear equations to isolate a variable. In the associated Algebra 1 lesson students write equations that represent situations and then find the inverse of the equation by considering the other variable as the independent variable. Teachers support students in this lesson by giving them options for the equations that represent the situations and allowing them to focus on the mechanics of rearranging an equation.

Students must reason abstractly and quantitatively (MP2) to make sense of the situations and match them to equations describing the situation. They also construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others (MP3) when they select what they think is the better option and explain their reasoning to their partner in the matching activity.