Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 6
Explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem with two unknowns
I can explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem with two unknowns.
- Year 6
Explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem with two unknowns
I can explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem with two unknowns.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A trial and improvement approach can be used if a model can't easily be drawn.
- A table can be used to record and check all possible solutions have been found.
- Some problems with two unknowns have an infinite number of solutions.
Keywords
Systematically - To work systematically means to work in an organised way, often according to a fixed plan or system.
Infinite - Infinite means without an end. If something is unlimited, you could say it has an infinite number of things.
Common misconception
Pupils attempt to represent the problems with bar models rather than take a systematic, trial and improvement approach.
Encourage pupils to represent each problem how they would like. Pupils should take time to notice why it is that the bar model if not appropriate to help solve these problems and identify these clues within the questions.
To help you plan your year 6 maths lesson on: Explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem 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 you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem 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 primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.1 eraser (a) and 4 pencils (4b) cost £3;
3 erasers (3a) and 4 pencils (4b) cost £3.80;
Find the cost of one eraser. p

Q2.Two different designs are made with the same square and triangular tiles. The area of the whole design is given. What is the area of one square tile? $$cm^2$$

Q3.The masses of some groups of large and small bags of potatoes are shown here. What is the mass of the small bag? kg

Q4.What is the value of a? a =

Q5.What is the value of b? b =

Q6.What is the value of c? c =

Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the pairs of missing unknown numbers to find possible solutions.

5 -
20
1 -
16
3 -
18
2 -
17
4 -
19
Q2.If one of the unknowns is 50, what would the other unknown be?

Q3.Laura has some triangles and pentagons. She chooses some of the shapes and when she counts the number of sides, she finds that the total is 35
How many of each shape could she have?

Q4.Laura has some squares and pentagons. She chooses some of the shapes and when she counts the number of sides, she finds that the total is 52
How many of each shape could she have?

Q5.I use two different lengths of wood to make a fence 10.4 m long. One length of wood is 80 cm and the other is 1.20 m. If four 80 cm planks were used, how many of length 1.20 m were used? planks
