A
L
G
E
B
R
A
R
E
AD
I
N
E
S
S
4
Jersey Number
Overview
Students use clues and reason logically to figure out the number represented by a
letter on a player’s jersey.
Algebra
Solve for values of unknowns • Replace letters with their values
Problem-Solving Strategies
Make a list of possible solutions • Test possible solutions with clues •
Use logical reasoning
Related Math Skills
Compute with whole numbers • Compare numbers • Identify factors of numbers
Identify odd and even numbers
Math Language
Less than < • Greater than > • Digit • Difference • Sum • Even number
Odd number • Factor
Introducing the Problem Set
Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Jersey Number” (page 33) 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:
- Why is 9 the greatest number on Ima’s list? (Clue 1 shows that when A is added to itself,
the sum is less than 20. Since A must be less than 10, then the greatest number that A can
represent is 9; 9 + 9 = 18.)
- What other numbers are on Ima’s list? (8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0)
31
Algebra Readiness Made Easy: Grade 4 © Greenes, Findell & Cavanagh, Scholastic Teaching Resources