Using Equations to Solve Problems

In this video lesson, students write equations and begin to see situations where using the equation is a more efficient way of solving problems than other methods they have been using, such as tables and equivalent ratios. The activities introduce new contexts and do not provide tables (students who still need them should create tables for themselves). The activities show how to represent proportional relationships with equations while providing scaffolding for finding the equations. As students use the abstract equation y = kx to reason about quantitative situations, they engage in MP2.

Grade 7, Episode 2: Unit 2, Lesson 6 | Illustrative Math