Lesson Planning Sheet Title: Using function machines to solve equations Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson:

All students should be able to use function machines to solve equations in the form ax+b=c Most students should be able to use function machines to solve equations in the form a/x + b = c Some students should be able to use function machines to solve equations in the form a(x+b)=c Key words: Function Machine, Equation, Solve Learning Activities Starter/Introduction Recap basic algebraic notation through classifying mathematical statements as true or sometimes true. Students may need direction to consider the properties of 1 and 0. Having the class work in pairs using a single mini-whiteboard will encourage mathematical discussions and peer support. Feedback to the class the assessments that have been made so all are aware of the notation. Development Discuss what it means to solve an equation. How, for linear equations, only one number out of an infinite range makes the mathematical sentence true. To solve an equation is to find this number. To use the function machines explain that they help break down what it happening to the unknown and in which order. Students need to have a secure grasp of how to read a mathematical sentence and that function machines are used to aid in this. Discuss how to work a function machine backwards. Students may need to recap opposite functions. Work through the problems on the first slide with the class so they are able to progress through the questions on the second slide independently. It is important for the students to know how to check their work by substituting the solved value back into the original equation. Plenary The plenary is intended to consolidate the learning of the lesson by having the students work through a variety of questions that cover the differentiated learning objectives. Having this attempt this on mini-whiteboards ensures accurate assessments can be made to fed back. Differentiation More able: Students maybe able to solve simple equations involving square and square roots if they are familiar with the opposite functions. Deriving the equations from known geometrical facts and solving them through function machines provides an application for the learning objective. Less Able Students may need to stick with integer solutions or use a calculator. Drawing the function machines for the students ensures that they are able to concentrate on the arithmetic and inverse operations rather than drawing the machines. Resources: Mini-Whiteboard