150r. Review Equations, Solutions and Inspection

Learning Intentions

  • To understand that an equation is a mathematical statement that can be true or false
  • To understand that a solution is a value for the unknown that makes an equation true
  • Solve a solution to simple equations by inspection
  • write equations from worded descriptions

Pre-requisite Summary

  • Know that an expression represents a quantity, while an equation compares two quantities
  • Understand that the equals sign means the values on both sides are the same
  • Be able to Substitute a value into an expression
  • Know that a pronumeral or variable stands for an unknown number
  • Be able to Use basic number facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Understand that checking means substituting a value back into the equation
  • Be able to translate simple word phrases into algebraic expressions

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

State whether each equation is true or false:

a)

b)

c) when

Worked Example 2

State the solution of each equation by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

Worked Example 3

State the solution of each equation by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

Worked Example 4

Check whether the given value is a solution:

a) Is a solution of ?

b) Is a solution of ?

c) Is a solution of ?

Worked Example 5

Write an equation for each description:

a) A number increased by equals

b) Three times a number is

c) A number divided by is

Worked Example 6

Write an equation from each worded situation, then Solve by inspection:

a) Sam has marbles. After getting more, he has marbles

b) A packet has stickers. After Use , there are left

c) A chair costs $ each. Two chairs cost $

Problems

Problem 1

State whether each equation is true or false:

a)

b)

c) when

Problem 2

State the solution of each equation by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

Problem 3

State the solution of each equation by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

Problem 4

Check whether the given value is a solution:

a) Is a solution of ?

b) Is a solution of ?

c) Is a solution of ?

Problem 5

Write an equation for each description:

a) A number increased by equals

b) Four times a number is

c) A number divided by is

Problem 6

Write an equation from each worded situation, then solve by inspection:

a) Mia has books. After buying more, she has books

b) A jar has lollies. After eating , there are left

c) A pen costs $ each. Three pens cost $

Exercises

Understanding and Fluency

Exercise 1.

State whether each statement is an equation or not:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 2.

State whether each equation is true or false:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 3.

Find the solution by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 4.

Find the solution by inspection:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Exercise 5.

Check whether the given value is a solution:

a) Is a solution of ?

b) Is a solution of ?

c) Is a solution of ?

d) Is a solution of ?

Exercise 6.

Write an equation for each description:

a) A number plus equals

b) A number minus equals

c) Twice a number is

d) A number divided by is

Exercise 7.

Write an equation from each situation:

a) A bag has apples. After adding , there are apples

b) A score is . After losing points, the score is

c) Five equal boxes hold pencils in total

d) A ribbon of length cm is cut into equal pieces of cm each

Exercise 8.

Write the equation, then solve by inspection:

a) A number increased by is

b) Three times a number is

c) A number divided by is

d) A number decreased by is

Reasoning

Exercise 9.

Explain why an equation can be true or false.

Exercise 10.

A student says that is an equation because it has a variable. Explain the mistake.

Exercise 11.

Noah says that if makes one side of the equation equal to , then it is automatically a solution. Is he correct? Explain.

Exercise 12.

Explain why a solution must make both sides of an equation equal.

Exercise 13.

A student says that the solution to is because . Describe the error.

Problem-solving

Exercise 14.

A game score starts at points. After gaining points, the score is . Write an equation and find .

Exercise 15.

A pack contains markers. After giving away , there are left. Write an equation and find .

Exercise 16.

Four equal bags contain marbles altogether. Write an equation and find how many marbles are in one bag.

Exercise 17.

A movie ticket costs $ . Two tickets cost $ . Write an equation and find .

Exercise 18.

A rope of length m is cut so that m remains after m is removed. Write an equation and find .

Exercise 19.

A student has stickers. After doubling the number, the total is . Write an equation and find .

Potential Misunderstandings

  • Students may think any algebraic expression is an equation
  • Students may forget that an equation must include an equals sign
  • Students may think a solution is any number that can be substituted, rather than one that makes the equation true
  • Students may check only one side of the equation instead of both sides
  • Students may confuse solving by inspection with using a random guess without checking
  • Students may reverse word phrases such as “a number increased by equals
  • Students may write an expression instead of an equation from a worded description
  • Students may use the wrong operation when finding a solution by inspection

Next: 151r. Reviewing Equivalent Equations and Solving Algebraically