Mathematics is a core skill in today's world, and mastering the subject is important for careers in engineering, science and finance. Algebra is a branch of mathematics that people often find difficult, but by teaching it early, and with practice, students can be competent at linear algebra by the age of 14. In the sixth grade, students are taught the very basics of algebra by learning how to solve linear equations with open frames. Here, the open frame represents a possible number and is an easier introduction to algebra than using the formal letters and symbols.
Instructions
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1
Write down the problem. For example:
2 + [ ] + 8 = 20.
Tell the student that the open frame represents a possible number.
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2
Write down the equation in words. This often helps in understanding. For the above example:
"Two plus something, plus eight, equals twenty."
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3
Guess a number and plug it into the equation to see if it works. For the example above,
guess 4:
2 + [ 4] + 8 = 14,
so we know a higher number is needed for the above equation to equal 20. Now, try a higher number.
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4
Solve the problem:
"Two plus ten, plus eight, equals twenty," or
2 + 10 + 8 = 20.