Algebra Readiness Made Easy Grade 4

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Where’s My Seat?

Overview

Presented with a rectangular array of consecutive numbers, students identify the

relationship between row numbers and seat numbers in the rows.

Algebra

Explore variables as representing varying quantities • Describe the functional

relationship between the last number in a row and the row number •

Describe the functional relationship between an element in a row and elements

directly above and below it

Problem-Solving Strategies

Describe parts of patterns • Generalize pattern relationships

Related Math Skills

Compute with counting numbers

Math Language

Row • Spatial terminology: behind, in front of, next to, first (seat), last (seat)

Introducing the Problem Set

Make photocopies of “Solve the Problem: Where’s My Seat?” (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 the last number in Row 1? (5)Row 2? (10)Row 5? (25)

How can you figure out the last number in a row? (Count the row numbers by 5s or

multiply 5 xrow number)

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