Transcript Scaffolding a Math Problem

Scaffolding a Math Problem:
Solving for a Single Variable
The Problem
Pete and Bryan are cousins. Bryan is three
times older than Pete. If the sum of the age of
the cousins is 36, how old are Pete and Bryan?
Step #1
Step #1
Bryan is three times as old as Pete, but Pete’s age is unknown.
Since it’s an unknown, let’s use x to represent Pete’s age.
If Pete is x, and Bryan is three times as old as Pete, which
picture best represents their ages?
Bryan
Pete = x
Bryan
Pete = x
Oops, Try Again
Hint: How many kids Pete’s age would it
take to equal the age of Bryan?
Return to Step #1
CORRECT!
Return to the problem.
Scaffolding a Problem
Pete and Bryan are cousins. Bryan is three
times older than Pete. If the sum of the age of
the cousins is 36, how old are Pete and Bryan?
Bryan = 3x
Pete = x
Step #2
Step #2
If the sum of the age of the cousins is 36, how can we
write that as an equation.
x = 3x + 36
Bryan = 3 x
Pete = x
3x + x = 36
3x = x + 36
Oops, Try Again
Hint: If the sum is 36, what do we need to add
together to make 36?
Return to the problem.
CORRECT!
Return to the problem.
Step 3
Pete and Bryan are cousins. Bryan is three times
older than Pete. If the sum of the age of the cousins
is 36, how old are Pete and Bryan?
3x + x = 36
Now that you have converted the word problem to
an equation, you can solve for x. If you need help,
return to one of the your guided practice options.
Sum
The sum is the total when two or more
numbers are added together.
1+1=2
2 is the SUM of 1 + 1.
Return to the problem.
Times
In math, “times” is another way of saying
multiply.
So three times one can also be written as 3 x 1.
Return to the problem.
Unknown
In math, the unknown is the number we are trying to
determine in order to solve a problem.
For example, if a + 1 = 3, a is the unknown.
Return to the problem.
Equation
An equation is a mathematical statement where sets of
numbers and/or unknowns are connected by an equals
sign.
7 + 3 = 10 is an equation.
Return to the problem.