Examples: -2 + x = 7;  -4 = t - 6.

Four questions. Students will need to add two positives, two negatives, and one of each. Variable appears in various places.  example

II. Solving equations involving multiplication or division.

Examples:  -2x = 7;  10 = .

Four questions. Students will need to multiply or divide two positives, two negatives, and one of each. Variable appears on left hand side and right hand side of the equals sign.

III. Solving equations involving more than one operation.

Examples: -2x - 5 = 4x + 7;

x + 3(4 - x) = -6

Two questions. One which requires the distributive law. Variable may appear on both sides of the equals sign.

IV. Factoring. Two questions. One trinomial. One binomial. At least one has a greatest common factor.   example1, example2, example3
 
 

James R. Olsen, Western Illinois University
E-mail: jr-olsen@wiu.edu
updated Dec. 11, 2001