Algebra Readiness Made Easy Grade 6

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READ I N E S S

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Numbaglyphics

Overview

Presented with various letters that represent numbers, students use the column sums to

figure out the value of each symbol.

Algebra

Solve equations with three unknowns • Replace unknowns with their values •

Recognize that same symbols have the same value • Understand that taking away an

addend changes the sum by the same amount

Problem-Solving Strategies

Reason deductively • Reason proportionally • Test cases

Related Math Skills

Compute with whole numbers

Math Language

Decipher • Replace • Symbol • Value

Introducing the Problem Set

Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Numbaglyphics” (page 66) and distribute to

students. Have students work in pairs, encouraging them to discuss strategies they

might use to solve the problem. You may want to walk around and listen in on some of

their discussions. After a few minutes, display the problem on the board (or on the

overhead if you made a transparency) and use the following questions to guide a

whole-class discussion on how to solve the problem:

What is in the cube? (Three columns of numbers and symbols)

What are the numbers at the tops of the columns? (Sums of the numbers and the values

of the symbols in the columns)

How many different symbols are there? (Three)

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