Step 6 Objective

Construct and solve linear equations with integer coefficients (unknown on either or both sides, without and with brackets) using appropriate methods (e.g. inverse operations, transforming both sides in same way).

Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do

Construct expressions and solve.

Probing questions

How do you decide where to start when solving a linear equation?

Having given pupils a list of linear equations ask:

Which of these are easy to solve? Which are difficult and why?

What strategies are important with the difficult ones?

How many solutions does the equation 6 = 2p − 8 have?

Give me other equations with the same solution.

Why? How do you know?

How do you go about constructing equations from information given in a problem?

How do you check whether it works?

What if pupils find this a barrier?

This lesson uses the matching method to develop pupils' understanding of constructing and solving linear equations.