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Saving for a Skateboard

Leo wants a skateboard. One-step equations help him figure out the unknown โ€” how much to save, how many weeks, how much is left.

ESOL Reading + Math One-Step Equations 6.EE.7 Levels: Beginner & Intermediate
Before You Read

Key Words

equation โ€” a math sentence with an equals sign, like x + 8 = 15.
variable โ€” a letter for the unknown number, like x.
solve โ€” find the value of the variable that makes the equation true.
inverse operation โ€” the opposite operation. The inverse of + is โˆ’; the inverse of ร— is รท.
balance โ€” do the same thing to both sides to keep the equation equal.
check โ€” put your answer back in to make sure it is true.
Part 1 โ€” How Much More? (Addition)

Leo has saved some money. He needs $15 total. He has $8. "How much more do I need?" He wrote an equation: x + 8 = 15.

To undo "+ 8," subtract 8 from both sides: x = 15 โˆ’ 8 = $7. Check: 7 + 8 = 15. โœ“

Check Your Reading โ€” Q1

To solve x + 8 = 15, what operation does Leo use?

Solve It โ€” #1

Solve x + 6 = 14.

Part 2 โ€” How Many Weeks? (Multiplication)

Leo saves $3 each week. He needs $21 more. "How many weeks?" His equation: 3x = 21, where x is the number of weeks.

To undo "ร— 3," divide both sides by 3: x = 21 รท 3 = 7 weeks. Check: 3 ร— 7 = 21. โœ“

Check Your Reading โ€” Q2

Why does Leo divide by 3 to solve 3x = 21?

Solve It โ€” #2

Solve 4x = 24.

Part 3 โ€” How Much Was There? (Subtraction)

Leo spent $4 on wax and had $9 left. "How much did I start with?" Equation: x โˆ’ 4 = 9.

To undo "โˆ’ 4," add 4 to both sides: x = 9 + 4 = $13. Check: 13 โˆ’ 4 = 9. โœ“

Solve It โ€” #3

Solve x โˆ’ 5 = 12.

Part 4 โ€” Sharing Equally (Division)

Leo and friends split a bulk pack of grip tape. The equation x รท 2 = 8 shows each person got 8 pieces from x total, shared by 2.

To undo "รท 2," multiply both sides by 2: x = 8 ร— 2 = 16 pieces. Check: 16 รท 2 = 8. โœ“

Solve It โ€” #4

Solve 5x = 35.

After You Read โ€” Write About It

Explain the Math in the Story

Level 1 โ€” Beginner (finish each sentence):
  • To solve x + 8 = 15, I ______ from both sides.
  • The inverse of multiplication is ______.
  • I check my answer by ______.
Level 2 โ€” Intermediate (use these to start):
  • An equation helped Leo because ______.
  • To solve an equation, I use the inverse operation so that ______.
  • I could write an equation for a real goal like ______.
How You Are Scored

Rubric

Category4 โ€” Strong3 โ€” Proficient2 โ€” Developing
Reading comprehensionBoth reading questions correct with details1 correctAttempts an answer
Math (Solve It)All 4 equations solved correctly with the right inverse operation3 correct2 correct
WritingExplains solving using vocabulary (inverse operation, balance, check)Uses some vocabularyBegins with a starter
๐Ÿ”‘ Teacher Answer Key (click to expand)
  1. Q1 โ€” Subtract 8 from both sides.
  2. Solve It #1 โ€” x = 8 (x + 6 = 14).
  3. Q2 โ€” Division is the inverse of multiplication.
  4. Solve It #2 โ€” x = 6 (4x = 24).
  5. Solve It #3 โ€” x = 17 (x โˆ’ 5 = 12).
  6. Solve It #4 โ€” x = 7 (5x = 35).

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