Solving Equations with Balance Scales

Grade 8β€’45 minutes

Learning Objective

I can solve one-variable linear equations by manipulating a balance scale to maintain equality.

Practice Questions

This lesson includes 7 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. Explain in your own words why it is essential to perform the same operation on both sides of an equation to maintain equality. Use the balance scale analogy to support your explanation.

2. Solve for x: 3x - 7 = 2x + 5. Show each step you take to isolate x and explain the reasoning behind each operation.

3. The equation π‘Ž + 𝑏 = 𝑐 represents the total cost (𝑐) of buying apples (π‘Ž) and bananas (𝑏). If the total cost is $15 and the apples cost $8, write the equation and solve for the cost of the bananas. Explain why your chosen operation isolates the variable.

...and 4 more questions

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