A PLACE TO ASK “WHAT IF?”
Make the mathematics move.
Change a value. Notice a pattern. Build an intuition you can take back to the lesson.
The equation balance
THE EQUATION BALANCE2x + 3 = 11
Find x so the pans balance. Apply the same subtraction to both sides: a balanced equation stays balanced. For b = 3, the solution is x = 4.
A journey on the number line
EXPLORE THE NUMBER LINEStart at −4. Add 4.
Move right for a positive change, left for a negative one. What value takes you exactly to zero?
The inverse machine
A REVERSIBLE MACHINEFollow the input. Then work backwards.
4→ ×3 →12→ +4 →16
4← ÷3 ←12← −4 ←16
The final operation is the first one to undo. Try a negative input: does the same method still work?