Maryland Math A.CED.A.1.a

MathGrades 9–12CREATING EQUATIONS

The Standard

A.CED.A.1: Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems. Include equations arising from linear and quadratic functions, and simple rational and exponential functions.

Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems.

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · Create equations that describe numbers or relationships.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students choose an unknown from a word problem and write an equation for an exact amount or an inequality for a limit. They solve it and check what the answer means in the situation.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a $30 budget, a $6 fee, and $4 tickets, a student writes 4t + 6 ≤ 30 and finds t ≤ 6. They explain that six whole tickets is the most they can buy.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat “at most $30” as exactly $30 and write an equation instead of an inequality. They may also forget a fixed fee or give a fraction of an item as the final answer.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A club pays a $12 setup fee plus $3 per badge. With $45, write and solve an inequality for the most badges it can buy.

Lesson moves

Give pairs 20 dollar counters, a $5 entry-fee card, and $3 ticket cards; have them build the most tickets they can afford.
Ask students to write how their math changes when $20 is an exact total rather than a spending limit for $2 rides after an $8 pass.
Give pairs cards with a $5 fee, $2 per item, and different totals or limits; race to write and solve each model.
Give students a mock school dance budget with $50 for decorations and $4 per guest; ask how many guests fit under $210.

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