Solving Problems with Rational Numbers

5 min

Teacher Prep
Setup
Students in groups of 2–4. 1 minute of quiet think time, then small group followed by whole-class discussion.

Narrative

This Warm-up prompts students to compare four equations. It gives students a reason to use language precisely (MP6). It gives the teacher an opportunity to hear how students use terminology and talk about characteristics of the items in comparison to one another.

Launch

Arrange students in groups of 2–4. Display the equations for all to see. Give students 1 minute of quiet think time, and ask them to indicate when they have noticed three images that go together and can explain why. Next, tell students to share their response with their group and then together find as many sets of three as they can.

Student Task

Which three go together? Why do they go together?

A

12x=-50\frac12 x = \text-50

B

x+90=-100x + 90 = \text-100

C

-60t=30\text-60t = 30

D

-0.01=-0.001x\text-0.01 = \text-0.001x

Sample Response

Sample responses:

A, B, and C go together because:

  • Each equation does not have any decimals.
  • Each equation has a variable on the left side of the equal sign.
  • The solutions to these equations are all negative.

A, B, and D go together because:

  • Each equation has an xx-variable.
  • The solutions to these equations are all integers.
  • The number on the side that does not have a variable is negative.

A, C, and D go together because:

  • Each equation has multiplication.
  • Each equation does not have addition.

B, C, and D go together because:

  • Each equation does not have any fractions.
Activity Synthesis (Teacher Notes)

Invite each group to share one reason why a particular set of three go together. Record and display the responses for all to see. After each response, ask the class if they agree or disagree. Since there is no single correct answer to the question of which three go together, attend to students’ explanations, and ensure the reasons given are correct.

During the discussion, prompt students to explain the meaning of any terminology they use, such as “positive,” “negative,” “addition,” and “subtraction,” and to clarify their reasoning as needed. Consider asking:

  • “How do you know . . . ?”
  • “What do you mean by . . . ?”
  • “Can you say that in another way?”
Standards
Building On
  • 6.EE.7·Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.
  • 6.EE.B.7·Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form <span class="math">\(x + p = q\)</span> and <span class="math">\(px = q\)</span> for cases in which <span class="math">\(p\)</span>, <span class="math">\(q\)</span> and <span class="math">\(x\)</span> are all nonnegative rational numbers.
Building Toward
  • 7.EE.4.a·Solve word problems leading to equations of the form px + q = r and p(x + q) = r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. Compare an algebraic solution to an arithmetic solution, identifying the sequence of the operations used in each approach. <em>For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is 54 cm. Its length is 6 cm. What is its width?</em>
  • 7.EE.B.4.a·Solve word problems leading to equations of the form <span class="math">\(px + q = r\)</span> and <span class="math">\(p(x + q) = r\)</span>, where <span class="math">\(p\)</span>, <span class="math">\(q\)</span>, and <span class="math">\(r\)</span> are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. Compare an algebraic solution to an arithmetic solution, identifying the sequence of the operations used in each approach. <span>For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is <span class="math">\(54\)</span> cm. Its length is <span class="math">\(6\)</span> cm. What is its width?</span>

15 min

15 min