Solving Equations Using a Balance Model

An equation is like a balance. Each side of the equation

needs to stay equal in order to figure out the answer.
Example:

4 + h = 13

So, I know that h = 9.

13

We can demonstrate this concept using alge-tiles too.

4+h

13

I want to get my variable by itself on one side of the balance.

What do I do with the 4 counters?
The only way to get rid of them is by using the zero principle.

Im going to add 4 negative counters to each side of the

balance so that I can eliminate my extra counters.
4 + h + (-4)

13 + (-4)

Now, using the zero principle, I will take away all my zeros,
so Im left with:
h

Lets try another one.

-5

2x + 1

First, Im going to add a negative counter to both sides so

that I can use the zero principle to get rid of that positive
counter.
-5 + (-1)

2x + 1 + (-1)

Then I get rid of any zeros I have created.

-6

2x

Now what?
-6

2x

I can see that x = -3.

Lets try one more.

-5

-3x + 7

Did you get this?

-5

-3x + 7

Okay. Next step: get rid of negative variables.

Did you get this?

-5 + 3x

-3x + 7 + 3x

Next step: cancel out any zeros.

Did you get this?

-5 + 3x

Okay. Next step: get rid of the negative counters.

Did you get this?

-5 + 3x + 5

7+5

Okay. Next step: cancel out zeros.

Did you get this?

3x

12

Okay. Next step: if 3x = 12, how much does x = ?

Solve these equations using alge-tiles.

1. 4k + 3 = 7

k=

2. 2b 4 = 10

b=

3. 5 = 3c 4

c=

4. -5 = 2t 11

t=

5. 4s + 1 = 9

s=

6. 2m 6 = 8

m=

7. 5 = 3r 1

r=

8. 2y + 5 = 9

y=

9. -5 = -3x + 7

x=

10.

3 = -2h 5 h =