KS3-NA12-2： Solving Simple Equations（Nov 2014）

Possible problems in students' learning (for reference only)

• Students make mistakes when eliminating the coefficient of the x term, e.g. from –x = 3 they have x = +3.
• Students mistake the signs when transposing terms.
• Students combine like or unlike terms wrongly, e.g. 5x – 2x = 3, 5 – 2x = 3x .
• Students make mistakes when removing brackets, such as forget to use the distributive law, or mistake the signs.
• Students make mistakes when multiplying both sides by a number, such as forget to use the distributive law, or mistake the signs.

Suggestions for Follow-up Actions

Name	Emphasis	Description	Problem addressed (see above)	Suggested duration (minutes)	Available for self - learning?
Solving Equations by the Principle of Balance (1) to (7) Preview Download	Solving Linear Equations in One Unknown	Using the Principle of Balance, the process of solving linear equations in one unknown is divided into five major procedures .
		Worksheet 1： Identify the coefficient of the x term and cancel it ；		20
		Worksheet 2: Use the verticle form to eliminate the constant term, and then cancel the coefficient of x;		20
		Worksheet 3: Use the verticle form to eliminate the constant terms at the left-hand side, and eliminate the x term at the right-hand side;		15
		Worksheet 4 and 5: Removing brackets and combining like terms;		35
		Worksheet 6 and 7: Adding brackets to the numerators of the fractions and then eliminate the denominators by multiplying an integer to both sides using the vertical form.		40

* The list of possible problems is for teachers' reference only and is not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive. Teachers can always adapt the activities/materials in order to cater for students' needs.

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