The Equation Game

Why is an equation like a balance scale?

32x - 1 =

The equation game has one rule …

… do the same action on both sides.

2x - 1 3

=2x - 1 3

=

Why did we add onered tile to each side?

2x - 1 + 1+ 1 3

=2x - 1 + 1+ 1 32x = 4 The action onboth sides is…SIMPLIFY!

2x = 4

Two groups of “x” is 4.What is one group of “x”?

2x = 4

x = 2

2 2

=2x - 1 3

How can you checkyour answer?

=2x – 1 3

3 = 3

Replace each “x”with 2 “ones”.

2(2) - 1

=-x 3… what if?

If two sides of an equation are equal

then the opposites of the two sides are equal.

x = -3

=-x 3

When you change the signs of both sides, how are you following the one rule of the Equation Game?

x = -3

Play the Equation Game with a partner

Solve each equation.Check your solution.

1. 3x - 2 = 42. 4x + 1 = -73. -4 = 2 + 2a 4. 3 - b = -25. -4x + 1 = -36. 3t + 6 = 9