The Constructing basic equations (word problems) exercise appears under the 6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission and Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise practices taking real world situations and creating equations to model those situations.
Types of Problems[]
There are three types of problems in this exercise:
- Select equations that model the situation: This problem describes a real-life situation that can be modeled with a simple algebraic equation. The user is asked to select all of the equations that could be used to solve the problem from a multiple select list.
Select equations that model the situation
- Solve the equation: This problem describes a real-life situation and provides an equation that can be used to solve the problem. Users are asked to find the correct solution and write it in the provided space.
Solve the equation
- Write an equation: This problem describes a real-life situation for which the user is asked to write their own equation that could be used to solve.
Write an equation
Strategies[]
Knowledge of translating algebra words into English help to attain accuracy badges on this exercise. Speed badges are attainable by looking for similar types of problems and solutions that repeat regularly.
- There is one single Write an equation problem that also requires the user to provide the answer. If submit is selected before answering the question there is an opportunity to provide the answer.
- For Select equations that model the situation there seems to be two selections for the addition problems and three for the multiplication/division problems.
- Solving the equation can be done by reading the equation provided. The rest of the words in the problem can essentially be ignored. However reading the entire problem increases ability in problems like this.
Real-life applications[]
- Applications include supply and demand lines form business and various other situations where there is information gained from different resources.