Students use a pan balance to study equality, order of operations, numerical and variable expressions, and other key algebraic concepts.
Math Content
- Using a balance pan to demonstrate equivalence
- Balancing shapes, numerical expressions, and variable expressions
- Properties of equality
- Order of operations
- Solving equations using algebraic logic
Individual Lessons
Lesson 1 - Balancing Shapes Students will balance shapes on the pan balance applet to study equality, essential to understanding algebra. Equivalent relationships will be recognized when the pans balance, demonstrating the properties of equality. Lesson 2 - Balancing Algebraic Understanding Using a balance in the classroom is a first step to algebraic understanding. Use this pan balance (numbers) applet to practice the order of operations in simplifying numerical expressions and to demonstrate the conventions of using algebraic logic in simplifying expressions. Lesson 3 - Algebra in Balance Students use the Balance Pans - Expressions Tool to explore algebraic expressions. They determine if algebraic expressions are equal. They balance pans to solve a system of equations and use graphing to find the solutions to a system of equations.
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