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IM: 8.4.2: Keeping the Equation Balanced (Lesson)

By Newsela Staff
Last updated 2 months ago
7 Questions
2.1: Notice and Wonder: Hanging Socks
1.

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

2.2: Hanging Blocks
This picture represents a hanger that is balanced because the weight on both sides is the same.

2.

Elena takes two triangles off of the left side and three triangles off of the right side. Will the hanger still be in balance, or will it tip to one side? Which side? Explain how you know.

3.

Use the applet to see if your answer to question 2 was correct.

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html

[Scroll to the tool under "2.2: Hanging Blocks", #2]

Can you find another way to make the hanger balance?

4.

If a triangle weighs 1 gram, how much does a square weigh? After you make a prediction, use the applet to see if you were right.

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html

[Scroll to the tool under "2.2: Hanging Blocks", #3]

Can you find another pair of values that makes the hanger balance?

Are you ready for more?
Try your own Hanger Balances!

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html
2.3: More Hanging Blocks
A triangle weighs 3 grams, and a circle weighs 6 grams.
5.

Find the weight of a square.

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html

[Scroll to the tool under "2.3: More Hanging Blocks", #1]

6.

Find the weight of a pentagon.

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html

[Scroll to the tool under "2.3: More Hanging Blocks", #2]

7.

Write an equation to represent each hanger.

Are you ready for more?
Try your own!

https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/students/3/4/2/index.html