Math
The students are learning how to find a missing portion of an equation. In some cases it is the symbol (+,-, or =). In other cases, an addend or subtrahend may be missing. Learning how to solve problems from various angles helps a student understand what is happening in addition and subtraction. It helps them to see the connection between these two operations. Because this is an important part of Algebra, we have taken this lesson one step further to isolating the variable.
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3 + n = 8 3 - 3 + n = 8 - 3 n = 5 |
10 - n = 4 10 - n + n = 4 + n 10 = 4 + n 10 - 4 = 4 - 4 + n 10 - 4 = n n = 6 |
All the students understood that what is done to one side of the equation must also be done to the other side of the equation. It was easy for them to understand the process to isolate the variable in addition.
However, the subtraction gave them more trouble. Because we wanted to stay away from the concept of negative numbers, we had them add the variable to each side which then converted the problem into the simpler addition sequence.
Now we are working on multiplication. It should be a breeze!