This activity was developed by a student or students at Mainland High School which is located in Daytona Beach, FL.   It is still a "work in progress" with editing and improvements yet to come.

Write the number of brothers you have.
Multiply by 2.
Add 3.
Multiply the result by 5.
Add the number of sisters you have.
Multiply the result by 10.
Add the number of living grandparents you have.
Subtract 150.

Look at your answer.

Your answer should equal the number of sisters,
brothers, and living grandparents that you have.

Now, go back and redo the problem using variables. Let "b" equal the number of brothers, "s" equals the number of sisters, and "g" the number of grandparents. Explain in words why this works.

Write down any number.
Add 3.
Multiply by 2.
Subtract 4.
Divide by 2.
Subtract the number you started with.

                                                                              Is your answer ?

Now, go back and redo the problem using variables. Let "n" equal the number.  Explain in words why this works.

Write down any number.
Add the next larger number.
Add 9 to this sum.
Divide the result by 2.
Subtract the original number.

                                                                                Is your answer ?

Now, go back and redo the problem using variables. Let "n" equal the number.  Explain in words why this works.

Think about the date of your birthday.
Multiply the number of the month of your birthday by 5.
Add 7.
Multiply by 4.
Add 13.
Multiply by 5.
Add the day of your birthday.
Subtract 205.
Write your answer.

Your answer should show the month and date of your birth.

Now, go back and redo the problem using variables. Let "d" equal your birthdate. Explain in words why this works.

Write down your house number.
Multiply by 2.
Add the number of days in a week.
Multiply by 50.
Add your age.
Subtract 365 (number of days in a year)
Add 15.
Write your answer.

Now, go back and redo the problem using variables. Let "n" equal your house number. Explain in words why this works.

A screw and two blocks balance eight nails. One block balances a screw and a nail. How many nails will balance a block?  Write equations to help solve this problem. Let "s" equal screws, "b" equal block, and "n" equal nails. Explain in words why this works.

A clip (paper clip) and two pennies balance eight boxes. One penny balances a clip and a box. How many boxes will balance a penny? Write equations to help solve this problem. Let "c" equal clips and "p" equal pennies. Explain in words why this works.

A bottle and a glass balance with a pitcher. A bottle balances with a glass and a plate. Two pitchers balance with three plates. How many glasses will balance with a bottle? Write equations to help solve this problem. Let "b" equal bottle, "g" equal glass, "p" equal pitcher, and "n" equal plates. Explain in words why this works.