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Sara Davick

Write an Equation to Represent a Pattern: Cutting String

Grades: 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade
Subjects: Math

Student Instructions

Read and follow the instructions on each page. Use the pen to record your data as you go. Use the label boxes to type your thoughts and observations. Keep your string laid out in an orderly way so that you can see what you have done. On the last page, use the photo to add a picture of what your string looks like at the end of the activity. Use the label tool to label the parts of the equation in relation to your picture. Use the mic to explain your thinking.

Teacher Notes (not visible to students)

Be sure that as students cut their string, they are cutting across both sides of the string. The first cut should give them three pieces - the loop and then two tails. The loop is the constant. The number of cuts becomes the variable. Because each cut creates two new pieces, the coefficient is two. The equation that represents the pattern is 2x + 1 = y

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