Algebra Workshop 2

4th May 2015
Algebra Workshop 2

This was a great workshop, following on from workshop 1. The key idea of this workshop was identifying what an equation and expression was and meant.

We know that an equation is about either side balancing equally. For example:

• 36 = 30+6

An expression  is a mathematical phrase that can contain ordinary numbers, variables (like x or y) and operators (like add,subtract,multiply, and divide). An expression does not include the equals sign.
Example of algebraic expressions:

• x+8 (A number plus 8)
• x-4 (Four less than a number)

Throughout this work shop we looked at different activities and aligning these with the New Zealand Curriculum. Below you will see images of the activities that we as professionals have taken part in relating to the different NZC Levels.

Notes taken from workshop. Showing what is expected for lvl 2 compared to lvl 3

This is a level 2 activity where students are looking for patterns, how the patterns work, the order in which the numbers ordered and looking at negative integers. 

Level four activity, using formulas to posts how many posts are needed with 88 rails.

This image above is about how many moves it takes to make 3 equal groups with the first group having 6 counters, 2nd 5 counters, and the 3rd 1 counter.