Explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns
I can explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns.
Explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns
I can explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The same sum rule can be used to balance equations.
- The same difference rule can be used to balance equations.
- Understanding of the structure of addition and subtraction can be used to balance equations.
Keywords
Difference - The result of subtracting one number from another number is known as the difference.
Subtrahend - The value used to subtract from the whole is known as the subtrahend.
Common misconception
Pupils use a trial and improvement approach to solve these problems only.
At first, pupils may put numbers into the equation to see what happens each time. Encourage pupils to move beyond this to notice what happens to each example. Pupils should aim to use the relationships between addends or subtrahends to help them.
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Solving problems with two unknowns unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
25
21
23
22
24
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the second addend = 30
the second addend = 35
the second addend = 62
the second addend = 81
the second addend = 34
the second addend = 45
the second addend = 66
the second addend = 60
the second missing value is 35
the second missing value is 50
the second missing value is 47
the second missing value is 56
the first missing value is 70
the first missing value is 85
the first missing value is 90
the first missing value is 100
