Summary
This lesson focuses on solving literal equations by building on the equation-solving knowledge students developed in Parts 1 and 2 of the Journey of the Isolated Variable series. Students will deepen their understanding of rearranging multi-variable equations to isolate a specific variable. By the end of the lesson, students will solve literal equations using algebraic properties and operations while making connections to real-world problem-solving scenarios.
Essential Question(s)
How do I rearrange a multi-variable equation to isolate a specific variable?
Snapshot
Engage
Students contribute to a class-created word cloud about equations.
Explore
Students solve equations they already know how to solve and then compare them with literal equations.
Explain
Students follow a flowchart to solve literal equations.
Extend
Students work with peers to complete a collaborative handout.
Evaluate
Students respond to a Muddiest Point prompt to identify any remaining questions or confusion about literal equations.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
Literal Equations Exploration handout (attached; one per student)
Literal Equations Practice handout (attached; one per student; print 2-sided)
Flowchart (attached; one per student)
Muddiest Point handout (attached; one half-sheet per student)
Chromebooks or student devices with internet access
Engage
5 Minute(s)
Introduce the lesson using the attached Lesson Slides. Display slide 3 to share the lesson’s essential question. Display slide 4 to go over the lesson’s learning objective. Review these slides with students to the extent you feel necessary.
Go to slide 5. Students will complete a Collaborative Word Cloud using Mentimeter (See Teacher’s Note above). Students will go to menti.com, enter your generated code, and answer the prompt. As students enter their words, display the word cloud for students to see how the words grow when other students enter the same word.
Go to slide 6 and facilitate a class discussion about the word cloud. Encourage students to reflect on how their contributions connect to the lesson topic and emphasize the importance of the terms presented in the word cloud.
Explore
20 Minute(s)
Display slide 7 and pass out the attached Literal Equations Exploration handout to each student.
Instruct students to work in pairs to complete the handout. Each pair will solve both multi-step equations with one variable and literal equations with four variables, using the same operations to observe and compare the processes. For each equation, students will:
Explain the steps they will take to isolate x.
Identify which terms (if any) can be simplified.
Write their final solution in terms of x =__.
Display slide 8 and lead a class discussion on students’ observations about the pairs of equations. Encourage students to refer to what they wrote at the end of the handout to support their insights.
Explain
20 Minute(s)
Display slide 9 and pass out the Flowchart handout to each student if needed.
Ask students what they notice about the flowchart. Students should realize the steps for solving a one-variable equation are the same as they are for solving a multi-variable equation. Explain to students that, because solving literal equations follows the same steps as solving one-variable equations, they can use the same flowchart they used in the Part 2 lesson.
Move to slide 10 and use the equation on the slide to demonstrate how to follow the flowchart steps to solve a literal equation. Walk students through each step, emphasizing how the flowchart guides their decision-making. This example is intentionally simpler to help students build confidence before tackling more complex problems.
Display slide 11 and introduce another example of a literal equation. As students grow more comfortable with the process, proceed to harder problems provided on slides 12–14. Adjust the examples as needed to meet the skill levels and needs of your students.
Finally, display slide 15, which features a word problem involving a specific formula. Have students solve the formula for a designated variable in the first part of the problem. Then, guide them to use their new formula to find the solution to the second question.
Encourage students to apply the flowchart at each step and discuss how it aids their problem-solving process.
Extend
35 Minute(s)
Display slide 16 and pass out the attached Literal Equations Practice handout to each student.
Explain the activity as a collaborative walk-and-solve exercise. Instruct students to move around the classroom and find classmates who can solve the problems on their handouts.
Activity Guidelines:
Students must solve the problems in sequential order from 1 to 10.
Once a student solves a problem on a classmate’s handout, they must write or sign their name in the corresponding box to claim that problem as theirs.
A student can only solve each problem once, so they must work on different problems on different classmates’ handouts.
Evaluate
10 Minute(s)
Display slide 17. Pass out a half-sheet card from the attached Muddiest Point handout to each student. Have students use the Muddiest Point strategy to answer the following questions on the slide and/or handout about what is now clear to them about literal equations and what is still “muddy” for them.
Collect their cards and review the responses. Their responses will give you a frame of reference for discussing remaining misconceptions and moving forward.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Collaborative Word Clouds. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/103
K20 Center. (n.d.). Mentimeter. Tech Tools. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/645
K20 Center. (n.d.). Muddiest Point. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/109
