5.4.B
The Standard
represent and solve multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students turn a multi-step word problem into an equation that uses a letter for the unknown. They choose operations, solve in a sensible order, and check the answer in context.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student writes an equation that matches all parts of the problem. The student finds the unknown accurately and explains what the answer means. The student checks the result against the situation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may solve each step correctly but use the wrong operations or order. Some write only number sentences and leave out the letter. Others treat the letter as a label instead of an unknown value.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: Eight boxes hold 24 pencils each. After 57 pencils are used, the rest are shared equally among 5 classes. Write an equation with p for each class's share, then solve.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs operation cards and counters to model three bags of 12, plus 8, shared by 4, then write and solve an equation.
Ask students to compare two equations for the same problem and write which one matches the story and why.
Play Equation Match by having teams pair multi-step word problem cards with equation cards, then solve for the letter.
Use a class party budget with item prices, quantities, and shared costs, then have students write and solve an equation.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 6.10.A
model and solve one-variable, one-step equations and inequalities that represent problems, including geometric concepts
- 3.5.B
represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using arrays, strip diagrams, and equations
- 3.5.A
represent one- and two-step problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers to 1,000 using pictorial models, number lines, and equations
- 4.5.A
represent multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantit...
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