Introduction
As the great mathematician George Pólya once said, “It is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way.” I’ve found this to be especially true with word problems. A given algebraic word problem can be solved in a multitude of ways; for instance, one can solve a linear equation algebraically (with “variables”), arithmetically (with constants), or illustratively (with pictures or use of manipulatives). When students engage in all three methods of solving linear equations, they build on prior knowledge and develop a more comprehensive understanding of variables and manipulation of algebraic equations.
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