Writing equations II

Writing equations II

Pencil and paper
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This task is about writing maths equations to describe practical situations.
Complete the sentences below by writing an equation in the spaces provided.

a)
Ihaka had n mice in a cage. He bought another 7 mice to make a total of 12 mice altogether.
 
An equation for this is ______________________ (where n is the number of mice Ihaka started with.)
 

b)
Anushka started with n dollars. One week later she had 4 times this amount. She then had $36.00.
 
An equation for this is _________________________ (where n is the amount of money Anushka started with.)
 

c)
Harata had 20 chocolates. She gave an equal number of chocolates to 3 friends and had 2 chocolates left over.
Each friend got n chocolates.
 
An equation for this is _________________________ (where n is the number of chocolates each friend got.)
 

d)
Carl had some sheep in 7 pens with n sheep in each pen. When 5 sheep were sold, Carl had 86 sheep left.
 
An equation for this is _________________________ (where n is the number of sheep in each pen.)
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
5
Description of task: 
Students write equations for story problems describing practical situations.
Answers/responses: 
 

 

 

Y10 (10/1999)

1 mark

a)

n + 7 = 12 or n = 12 - 7

easy
1 mark b) 4n = 36 or n = 36 ÷ 4 easy
2 marks
or
 
 

 
 
 
1 mark
c)

Any 1 of:

•   3n + 2 = 20
•   20 - 3n = 2
•   n = 18 ÷ 3
•   n = (20 - 2) ÷ 3
•   Algebraically equivalent equations.
n = 20 - 2 ÷ 3 (i.e., brackets missing)

2 correct – difficult

1 correct – moderate

2 marks
or
 

 
 
 
1 mark
d)

Any 1 of:

•   7n - 5 = 86
•   n = 91 ÷ 7
•   n = (86 + 5) ÷ 7
•   Algebraically equivalent equations.
n = 86 + 5 ÷ 7 (i.e., brackets missing)

2 correct – difficult

1 correct – moderate

NOTE:    Do not accept inappropriate equations such as:
               20 - 2 = 18 ÷ 3 = 6
               86 + 5 = 91 ÷ 7 = n

Diagnostic and formative information: 
   Common error Likely reason
c)
d)
20 - 2 ÷ 3
86 + 5 ÷ 7
Does not apply BEDMAS and does not insert brackets.