2. The Pieces
The rectangular yellow pieces will represent the variable, or the number you don’t know yet. X
The small green cubes will represent one whole. If there are more than one, just count them up! 1
The whole point of algebra is to get that yellow variable block all by itself on one side of the equal sign so you can find out its value!

3. Anything in the top (white) part of your equation math means that it is positive, or that you are ADDING. + _
What does this say?!
____________

4. + What does this say?! ____________ _
Anything in the bottom (gray) part of your equation math means that it is negative, or that you are SUBTRACTING. + _
What does this say?!
____________

5. + _
If you ever have something that matches on the top (positive) and bottom (negative) of the mat, you will call it a “zero pair”. These things will cancel each other out because they are equal to ZERO!

6. + _ = ___________________________________1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
What equation is modeled on the Equation Mat?
___________________________________

7. + _ = What equation is modeled on the Equation Mat?1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
What equation is modeled on the Equation Mat?
___________________________________

8. + _ = What equation is modeled on the Equation Mat?1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
What equation is modeled on the Equation Mat?
___________________________________

9. + _ =
Show X – 3 = 7
Solution:____________________

10. + _ =
Set up X – 2 = 3
Solution:___________ Check:__________________

11. + _ =
Set up X + 4 = 9
Solution:_______________ Check:______________

12. + _ =
Sam has some baseball cards and his mom brings him 5 more. Now he has 7. How many did he begin with?
Solution:_____________ Check:_____________

13. Let’s Talk Algorithms. Suzie had some apples and picked 3
Let’s Talk Algorithms! Suzie had some apples and picked 3. Now she has 5 apples
Equation:___________________________________
Show your steps: Check your work:

14. X – 2 = 3 Draw a Picture: Show Your Steps:
Solution:
Check: Write a Word Problem: