What are variables in algebra?

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Intros
Lessons
  1. Introduction to Variables in Algebra:
  2. What are equations?
  3. What are unknowns and how do you find out their value?
  4. What are variables?
  5. What are the equation models for the four operations?
  6. How to write algebraic equations from sentences
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Examples
Lessons
  1. Unknowns in addition or subtraction equations
    Draw the missing circles in the unknown box. Write the missing number in the equation.
    1. What are Variables in Algebra?
    2. What are Variables in Algebra?
    3. What are Variables in Algebra?
    4. What are Variables in Algebra?
  2. Unknowns in multiplication or division equations
    Finish drawing the circles to solve the equation. Trace around the circles to make equal groups.
    1. What are Variables in Algebra?
    2. What are Variables in Algebra?
    3. What are Variables in Algebra?
    4. What are Variables in Algebra?
  3. Writing equations with variables for addition or subtraction
    Write the equation with variables for the phrase:
    1. 10 more than hh equals 64
    2. 73 increased by xx equals 109
    3. bb less than 8 equals 2
    4. 24 decreased by ss equals 17
  4. Writing equations with variables for multiplication or division
    Write the equation with variables for the phrase:
    1. the product of 4 and 6 equals aa
    2. 9 times jj equals 72
    3. the quotient of 24 and 3 equals cc
    4. kk divided by 10 equals 5
  5. Equations with variables: word problems
    Write the equation for the word problem. Use the variable xx for the unknown value.
    1. Allie picked 9 strawberries and Troye picked 8 strawberries. How many strawberries did they pick in total?
    2. Brian got 24 on the quiz. Ellie got 2 points less than Brian. How many points did Ellie get on her quiz?
    3. For which case should you use multiplication or division?
      1. There are 5 red apples. There are 2 times as many green apples as red apples. How many green apples are there?

      2. There are 8 red apples. There are 2 times as many red apples as green apples. How many green apples are there?
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Practice
Topic Notes
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In this lesson, we will learn:

  • The parts of a math equation for all four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
  • How to do basic algebra: solving for unknowns (variables) in equations
  • How to write algebra equations from word sentences by using equation models to help

Notes:

  • A math equation can be thought of as a mathematical sentence which needs terms, an operation and an answer
What are Variables in Algebra?

  • An unknown is a value that we don't know in an equation yet; we need to solve the equation to find the unknown through guess-and-check (knowing that values must be equal on both sides of the equal sign)
What are Variables in Algebra?

  • Algebra is a type of math where we will see BOTH numbers and letters (or symbols)!
    • We use variables (letters or symbols) to represent unknown values:
What are Variables in Algebra?

  • Equation models help identify all the terms when you're dealing with word sentences so that you can write an algebra equation

What are Variables in Algebra?
    • i.e. "36 added to 41 equals yy." \, \, 36 + 41 = yy
    • i.e. "15 less than ff equals 13." \, \, ff - 15 = 13
    • i.e. "2 times as many as 7 is mm." \, \, 2 × 7 = mm
    • i.e. "xx is 3 times less than 15" \, \, xx = 15 ÷ 13

  • Keywords (key phrases) for each operation include:
    • Addition: "added to", "more than", "increased by"
    • Subtraction: "subtracted from", "less than", "decreased by"
    • Multiplication: "multiplied by", "times", "times as many", "each", "groups"
    • Division: "divided by", "times as many", "split into groups"