Keeping the Meaning in Mathematics: The Craft of Word Problems

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 07.06.07

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Rationale
  2. Strategies
  3. Ice -Breaker - I
  4. Lesson One - Notation Development (whole class discussion)
  5. Lesson Two - Simplifying Expressions
  6. Lesson Three - Translations of Verbal Descriptions (addition/subtraction)
  7. Lesson Four - Translations of Verbal Descriptions (multiplication/division)
  8. Lesson Five - Distributive Property
  9. Lesson 6 - Combination - These problems combines all the components of the unit for reinforcement.
  10. Lesson Seven - Application and Reinforcement
  11. Appendix 1 - ALGEBRAIC OPERATIONS
  12. BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR TEACHERS
  13. STUDENTS RESOUCRES
  14. Classroom Material
  15. Implementing District Standards

Linear Expressions and Evaluations

Angel Johnson

Published September 2007

Tools for this Unit:

Lesson Seven - Application and Reinforcement

In lesson seven, students will continue to formulate notations and expressions as well as evaluate expressions. Students will work within small groups to expand and extend their knowledge of writing algebraic expressions to more complicated problems. These problems will require students to perform several embedded steps to demonstrate their proficiency. These problems should have elaborate discussions the first time students see it. Students will begin to solve more complex word problems such as:

Gabriele has been offered two summer jobs. The first job is a lifeguard position that will pay $11 per hour but requires hat she take a $200 certification class. The second job is a waitress position at a local restaurant. This job pays $9 per hour, but she will have to buy a uniform for $50. Gabrielle decides to make a few calculations concerning the money that can be made before deciding which job to take. Let x present the number of hours work. After how many hours will Gabrielle earn the same amount of money from both jobs? 11x - 200 = 9x - 50 (75)

A sum of $10,000 is invested in two different type of accounts. Part of the money is invested in an account paying 9.5% simple interest, and the remainder is invested in an account paying 11% simple interest. At the end of the year, the two accounts pay a total interest of $1,038.50. How much was invested in each account? (I = rP, where I is the interest, r is the annual interest rate, and p is the principal).

Both accounts: interest $1,038.50 principal = 10,000

First account: interest rate = .095 principal = x

Second account: interest rate = .11. principal = 10,000 - x

Equation: .095x + .11(10,000 - x) = 1,038.50 ($4100 at 9.5% & $5,900 at 11%)

Assessment

The unit will include informal and formal assessments. Observations will be done during classroom discussions: whole and small groups. Unit assignments, quizzes, and test will be conducted and written and verbal feedback will be provided. These assessments will direct the pace as well as the lessons.

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