Lesson 7

Explain how the parts of the balanced hanger compare to the parts of the equation.

For the hanger below:

1. Write an equation to represent the hanger.
2. Draw more hangers to show each step you would take to find $x$. Explain your reasoning.
3. Write an equation to describe each hanger you drew. Describe how each equation matches its hanger.

Clare drew this diagram to match the equation $2x+16=50$, but she got the wrong solution as a result of using this diagram. 

 

1. What value for $x$ can be found using the diagram?
2. Show how to fix Clare’s diagram to correctly match the equation. 
3. Use the new diagram to find a correct value for $x$.
4. Explain the mistake Clare made when she drew her diagram.