Delivering papers

Delivering papers

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about using algebraic expressions to answer questions about paper deliveries.

Tana

Tana delivered 89 papers on Saturday, but only 57 on Sunday. He said to his father,   

 
"I delivered the same number of papers in the weekend as I delivered for the rest of the week put together!"
 
a)
How many papers did Tana deliver during the week, not including the weekend?
 
__________ papers
 
 
b)
Which equation will find how many papers Tana delivered for the whole week, including the weekend?
 
 

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

n = 89 + 57
2n = 89 + 57
n/2 = 89 + 57
n = 2 × 89 + 57
 
 
The next week, Tana delivered an equal number of papers each day from Monday to Friday, and 100 in the weekend. He delivered 250 papers altogether for the week Monday to Sunday.
 
c) i) 
Write an equation to find out how many papers Tana delivered on Monday.
 
________________________________________
   
  ii) How many papers did he deliver on Tuesday? __________
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Equations and expressions
Keywords: 
linear equations, algebraic expressions
Description of task: 
Students use given information to solve a story problem about paper deliveries and identify the correct algebraic equation for the answer. They also write an algebraic equation for a similar story problem.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Using symbols and expressions to think mathematically, sets 6-7
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
   Y10 (09/1998)
a)   146 very easy
b)   C very difficult
c) i)

ii)

 Any 1 of:

•   5n + 100 = 250;
•   5n = 150;
•   n = (250 – 100)/5 or 150/5;
•   other correct equation.

30 
[Conditional marking: accept if answer is correctly solved using equation in question c) i).]

 moderate

easy

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error Likely calculation Likely misconception
b)  D 2 × 89 + 57 = 2 × (89 + 57). Incorrect order of operations. 
c) i)
    ii)		 250 ÷ 7
35 (or 35.7)		 Calculates average number of papers over whole week.  
c) i)
    ii)		 250 ÷ 5
50		   Ignores 100 papers delivered at the weekend.
c) i)
    ii)		 250 – 100 ÷ 5 = n
230
250 – 20		 Ignores brackets in (250 – 100)/5 = n.