Equation Riddle Project Description
This project is a way to learn about solving equations and have some fun at the same time. 1) You will create or find a joke or riddle that has a short answer of one or two words totaling from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 12 letters in length. N.B. Your teacher must approve all riddles and answers. 2) Using the letters of your riddle answer as variables, you will create algebraic equations that will be used to SOLVE your riddle. The value of the solution will determine the position of the letter in the answer. For example, an equation with an answer of p = 3 means that p is the 3rd letter in the riddle answer. See the sample project for more examples. The equations must be single variable equations of the type we have worked on in class. You should have a good mix of easy-to-hard equations that require all operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and the simplification techniques we learned (combine like terms, distribution). Your project will also include TWO equations that are not part of the riddle answer. The numeric value of these solutions should be a negative number, so as not to be included in the riddle answer. For example, if your riddle answer has 9 letters, you should have a total of 11 equations. All solutions should be integer values.
See the attached sample project for examples.
See other side for Grading Rubric
Equation Riddle Project Deliverables & Grading Rubric
Projects may be typed or hand-written (or a combination of both), and should be neat and easy to read. After your project is complete, some of your classmates will have a chance to solve your riddle. A COMPLETED PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:
1 2 3
A RIDDLE PAGE (8.5 by 11 sheet of paper) without answers. Equations should be challenging at about the same level of difficulty that we have been working with in class. An ANSWER KEY that includes a solution for each equation and the answer to the joke or riddle. List the “best first step” (see examples) that can be used to solve each equation. A DETAIL SOLUTION PAGE that includes a detailed solution for each equation. Your detail solution should use the “best first step” that is specified on your ANSWER KEY page.
GRADING RUBRIC
Accuracy of Answer Key page Accuracy of Detail Solution page Challenging mix of equations Creativity/ Neatness/ Organization Due Date Met Total
Project Due Date (A-Day): (B-Day): Tuesday, June 12th Wednesday, June 13th
10 points 10 10 10 10 50 points
Equation Riddle Project
Name Date
________________________________________ ________________________ Period ________
RIDDLE PAGE
“What do you call a potato that reads the news?”
Equation
−14c = −14 8e + 4e = 120 3t − 22 = −1
Solution
Operation or technique that is the BEST FIRST STEP
2r + 37 = 59
7 + 3m = 19
8(6 + o) = 88
3=
n 2
14o = 28 6m − 4m = 6
a − (−10) = 18 −7 p = 28
2t + 19 = 37 m − 34 = −37
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 1 2 3 4 5 6
–
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 7 8 9 10 11
Equation Riddle Project
Name Date
________________________________________ ________________________ Period ________
ANSWER KEY
“What do you call a potato that reads the news?”
Equation
−14c = −14 8e + 4e = 120 3t − 22 = −1
Solution
c =1 e = 10 t=7
Operation or technique that is the BEST FIRST STEP Divide both sides by –14 Combine Like Terms Add 22 to both sides Subtract 37 from both sides
2r + 37 = 59
7 + 3m = 19
r = 11
m=4 o=5 n=6 o=2 m=3
Subtract 7 from both sides Distribute Multiply both sides by 2 Divide both sides by 14 Combine Like Terms Rewrite – (-10) to +10 Divide both sides by -7 Subtract 19 from both sides Add 34 to both sides
8(6 + o) = 88
3=
n 2
14o = 28 6m − 4m = 6
a − (−10) = 18 −7 p = 28
2t + 19 = 37 m − 34 = −37
.
a =8
p = −4
t =9 m = −3
C O M M O N - T A T E R
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
EQUATION RIDDLE PROJECT
Name Date
________________________________________ ________________________ Period ________
Equation
Solution
Operation or technique that is the BEST FIRST STEP