This lesson is optional because it does not address any new mathematical content standards. This lesson does provide students with an opportunity to apply precursor skills of mathematical modeling (MP4).

In previous lessons, students created scaled bar graphs and solved problems involving equal groups. In this lesson, they use these skills as they make a seating arrangement.

Students first examine a diagram showing equal groups and consider the situations it could represent. After learning that the diagram represents a seating chart, they consider the information needed to set up the seating arrangement for a game night. Students then plan a seating arrangement given some constraints—the total number of game tables and a combination of games that each involve a certain number of players—and create a display to present their solution. Finally, students create a scaled bar graph to represent the number of players that can play each game in their seating solution.