Equality & Balance — Worksheet

Equality & Balance

Worksheet

Open Equality & Balance. It starts in Equation mode showing x + 3 = 7. Do not press New problem. Work with that equation in Part A.

Part A: Keeping the balance

1. The scale shows x + 3 = 7. To get x by itself on the left, what do you do? 1 pt
  • Add 3 to both sides
  • Subtract 3 from both sides
  • Subtract 3 from the left side only
  • Divide both sides by 3
2. Why must you do the same thing to both pans? 1 pt
  • So the scale stays balanced
  • Because x is on the left pan
  • Because the right pan is heavier
  • You do not have to
3. Remove 3 weights from the left pan and 3 weights from the right pan. The scale balances with x alone. What is x? 1 pt
4. Select every move that keeps the scale balanced. 2 pts
  • Add 2 weights to both pans
  • Remove 2 weights from the left pan only
  • Remove 2 weights from both pans
  • Add 5 weights to the right pan only
5. Press Reset. Now add 2 weights to both pans. The scale reads x + 5 = 9. What is x? 1 pt
6. Explain why adding the same weight to both pans does not change the value of x. 2 pts

Part B: Inequalities

7. Switch to Inequality mode. The banner shows x + 3 > 7. What is the boundary value of x, the value where the two sides are equal? 1 pt
  • 3
  • 4
  • 7
  • 10
8. Drag x to 4. Is the statement x + 3 > 7 true or false? 1 pt
  • True
  • False
9. Drag x to 6. Is the statement x + 3 > 7 true or false? 1 pt
  • True
  • False
10. Describe every value of x that makes x + 3 > 7 true. 2 pts

Part C: One more step

11. To solve 4x = 12, what single step isolates x? 1 pt
  • Subtract 4 from both sides
  • Divide both sides by 4
  • Divide both sides by 12
  • Add 4 to both sides
12. Solve 4x = 12 for x. 1 pt