Cogito
Grade 6 Math · Chapter 6 · Lesson 4
Writing Equations from Stories
From a situation to a solvable sentence.
10 problems · about 18 minutes · 6.EE.B.7
What this lesson teaches
The child writes a one-step equation modelling a story and solves it.
- Name the unknown first, then write what happens to it.
- Added or removed gives a plus or minus; equal groups give a multiplication.
- Check the answer against the story, not only against the equation.
Warm-Up Review
From earlier lessons. Loosen up before the new work.
3 problemsReview — Inequalities and Two Variables: c = 6w. What is c when w = 8?
Answer 48
Why 48.
Review — Solving One-Step Equations: Solve 8n = 96.
Answer 12
Why n = 12.
Review — What Solving Means: What value of n makes n + 8 = 15 true?
Answer 7
Why 7.
Warm Up
Straightforward practice. Get the method working first.
3 problems7n = 63. What is n?
Answer 9
Why 9.
n + 12 = 30. What is n?
Answer 18
Why Take 12 from both sides.
5n = 45. What is n?
Answer 9
Why Divide both sides by 5.
Build It Up
The same ideas with more to keep track of.
2 problemsn − 6 = 14. What is n?
Answer 20
Why Add 6 to both sides.
A price rose by £4 to £19. What was it before?
Answer 15
Why n + 4 = 19.
Stretch Yourself
Mixed problems. Work out what kind of question it is before you start.
2 problemsThe Shelf: After 9 books are added there are 24. How many were there before?
Answer 15
Why 15 books.
The Crates: 8 crates hold n apples each, 96 in all. How many in each crate?
Answer 12
Why 12 apples.