Writing function rules from equations

The  exercise appears under the 8th grade (U.S.) Math Mission and Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise uses a manipulative to graph lines.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Manipulate the equation into a line: This problem gives an equation with instances of two variables appearing on either side of an equals sign. The student is expected to solve for a specified variable so that the equation can be viewed as "linear."Wfrfe1.png

Strategies
Knowledge of properties of equality and an ability to solve for a given variable are encouraged to ensure success on this exercise.
 * 1) This problem is effectively an exercise designed to solve for a specified variable.
 * 2) The general process is usually:
 * 3) distribute
 * 4) collect like terms with the desired variable on the left
 * 5) divide to isolate the desired variable

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Solving for variables in non-standard situation practice flexibility in problem solving, a critical skill in mathematics.