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Balance Equation Game
5 Pre & Primary Essentials Games & Activities Mathematics Number & Place Value Patterns & Algebras 7 Pages

Balance Equation Game

In this game, students create a balanced equation by using a series of equation cards. These can be customised to change the difficulty so that it will suit every group in your numeracy rotations. Print the blue/yellow cards front and back so that the equation should appear on one side (blue) while the answer appears on the other (yellow).

This game is a part of a larger pre-algebra unit where students find unknown values in numerical equations using multiplication and division.
 

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Learning goals

  • We are learning to create and use algorithms using multiple steps to experiment with factors, multiples and divisibility and identify and describe emerging patterns.
  • We are learning to find unknown quantities in number sentences involving multiplication and division, using the properties of numbers and operations.
  • We are learning to recognise and explain the connection between multiplication and division as inverse operations and use this to develop families of number facts.
  • We are learning to describe, continue and create patterns with fractions, decimals and whole numbers resulting from addition and subtraction, using the number line or diagrams to create patterns involving fractions or decimals.
  • We are learning to identify and describe factors and multiples of whole numbers and use them to solve problems.
  • We are learning to find unknown quantities in number sentences involving multiplication and division and identify equivalent number sentences involving multiplication and division.

Curriculum alignment

MA3-8NA old Analyses and creates geometric and number patterns, constructs and completes number sentences, and locates points on the Cartesian plane MA3-3WM old Gives a valid reason for supporting one possible solution over another MA3-1WM old Describes and represents mathematical situations in a variety of ways using mathematical terminology and some conventions MA3-2WM old Selects and applies appropriate problem- solving strategies, including the use of digital technologies, in undertaking investigations MA3-4NA old Orders, reads and represents integers of any size and describes properties of whole numbers MA3-RN-03 new Determines percentages of quantities, and finds equivalent fractions and decimals for benchmark percentage values MA3-RN-02 new Compares and orders decimals up to 3 decimal places MA3-RN-01 new Applies an understanding of place value and the role of zero to represent the properties of numbers MA3-MR-02 new Constructs and completes number sentences involving multiplicative relations, applying the order of operations to calculations MA3-MR-01 new Selects and applies appropriate strategies to solve multiplication and division problems
VCMNA181 Identify and describe factors and multiples of whole numbers and use them to solve problems VCMNA194 Follow a mathematical algorithm involving branching and repetition (iteration) VCMNA192 Describe, continue and create patterns with fractions, decimals and whole numbers resulting from addition and subtraction VCMNA193 Use equivalent number sentences involving multiplication and division to find unknown quantities

Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.

Differentiation

Modifications

This game allows students to simplify the balance process so that questions can be reduced to simple tables equations, or flip the cards to increase the difficulty.

Teach it your way

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