Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.
Loading StandardsStudents learn that equations are balanced when the same number is on each side. This idea is explored in the CYBERCHASE video in the context of solving a security lock problem to overcome another of Hacker's plots. The students learn to conserve equality (keeping an equation balanced) by adding or subtracting the same amount to each side. This allows students to solve missing value problems with one or two terms and to justify their solutions.
60 minutes
A Simple Balance QuickTime Video
Balancing Equations with Multiple Terms QuickTime Video
Solving an Equation for a Missing Value QuickTime Video
Solving Equations for Missing Values Handout
Assessment: Level A
Assessment: Level B
Answer Key
1. Read the following to your students: "Hacker is causing chaos by littering the cybersites with cyberstatic. The CyberSquad must solve three number puzzles in order to turn off the static. Each puzzle gets harder, so watch closely to be able to successfully solve the challenges on Handout 1after you watch the video clip."
2. Tell the students that they will now watch three video clips in which the CyberSquad must solve number puzzles, each one more complicated than the last. After viewing a clip, discuss the method used by the CyberSquad to create a balanced equation. Replay the clip if necessary.
3. Play the A Simple Balance QuickTime Video .
4. Play the Balancing Equations with Multiple Terms QuickTime Video .
5. Play the Solving an Equation for a Missing Value QuickTime Video .
6. Distribute the Solving Equations for Missing Values Handout .
7. Review the first example in the handout with the students. It is the same problem the CyberSquad encounters in video segment 3. Make sure the students understand how to justify the steps.
8. Ask the students to complete the handout.
9. When the students have completed the handout, review the handout with the entire class. Pay particular attention to Problem #2 in which the equation starts with a subtraction.
Assessment: Level A (proficiency): Students solve simple balancing equation problems.
Assessment: Level B (above proficiency): Students solve more complicated balancing equation problems.
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