#equationsolving

Dear Mathletes, To solve equations can start with two bits of advice so simple that you can give students nearly a whole lesson exploring solving different types of equations. This is opposed to introducing first with the variable on one side then on both sides then with brackets then with fractions and bla bla... 1. Whatever you do to one side of the equation you must do to the other. Never mention crossing the equals sign and becoming a negative, there is very little understanding from students in this. 2. Think 'what do I want to get rid of' and get rid of it in order to meet your objective of reaching x= That's it for the lesson until the end when it is important to allow students to discuss strategies and patterns in order to get rid of coefficients and constants. Try it, ten try following it up with a lesson of giving them ten tough equations to work on in groups to make it competitive. I always say I will give them a mark out of 10 but I'm not telling you which ones are wrong :) Happy teaching Mr Mathlete