Play It In 3

Reverse
Solving One-Step Multiplication
Equations

WARM UP LEARNING GOALS

Rewrite each fraction as • Use bar models to represent one-step
a whole number times a multiplication equations.
unit fraction. • Use inverse operations to solve one-step
multiplication equations.
4
1. __
5 • Reason about multiplication equations.
9 • Connect bar models to the algorithm for solving
2. __
2 multiplication equations.
2
3. 3__ • Solve one-step multiplication equations.
7
1
4. ___
12

You have solved one-step addition equations using bar models and inverse operations. How
can you use similar strategies to solve one-step multiplication problems?

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-119

 Getting Started

Form of 1
Consider the number 1. What comes to mind?

Be sure 1. Write five different numeric expressions for the number 1.

to write
expressions
for 1 that
include
multiplication
and division.

Share your numeric expressions with your classmates.

2. Did you and your classmates use common strategies to write

your expressions? How many possible numeric expressions
could you write for this number?

M3-120 • TOPIC 2: Equations

 AC T I V I T Y
Reasoning About
3.1 Multiplication Equations

Just as with addition equations, solving multiplication equations

involves determining the value for the variable that makes the
statement true. You can use bar models to understand the structure
of the equation and reason about the solution.

WORKED EXAMPLE

Consider the multiplication equation 2x 5 6. 2x

This equation states that for some value of x, the 6 How do these
expression 2x is equal to 6.
bar models
You can decompose 2x by rewriting it as the relate to the
x x
equivalent expression 1x 1 1x, or x 1 x. bar models
2x you used to
To maintain equivalence, decompose 6 in a similar way. solve addition
6 equations?
The bar model demonstrates that these two equations
are equivalent. 3 3
2x 5 6

x1x5313

By examining the structure of the second equation,

you can see that x 5 3.

1. Why is the number 6 decomposed into the numeric

expression 3 + 3?

Solve each equation using a bar model.

2. 3x 5 12 3. 7x 5 63 4. 4x 5 6

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-121

 AC T I V I T Y
Solving Equations with
3.2 Fractional Coefficients

Multiplication equations often include numbers other than

Remember there
whole numbers.
are different ways
to write equivalent 1
Consider the equation __
3
x 5 2.
expressions.
1
__ x
3
x 5 __
3 1. Explain how this equation compares to the equations in the
previous activity.

WORKED EXAMPLE
1
__
1 3
x
Represent __
3
x 5 2 as a bar model.
2
Because you start
with a fractional To solve this equation for x, compose
amount of x, you 3 equally-sized parts to create the whole, x.
have to compose to x
get a whole x. To maintain equivalence, compose
1
__ 1
__ 1
__
3 equally-sized parts for the other 3
x 3
x 3
x
expression, too.
2
This structure allows you to see the
value of x.

2. Complete the worked example by filling in the missing values.

1
Then write the solution to the equation __
3
x 5 2.

M3-122 • TOPIC 2: Equations

Solve each equation using a bar model.
1 x
3. __
4
x57 4. __
2
55

2
5. Consider how to use bar models to solve __
3
x 5 8.
Analyze each strategy. This reminds
me of tape
Vanessa’s Carson’s diagrams.
Solution Solution
x x

1
__ 1
__ 1
__ __2 x __1 x
3x 3x 3x 3 3

2
__ 1
__ 8 4
3x 3x
12
8 4

4 4 4

12

a. How is Carson’s solution strategy different from Vanessa’s

solution strategy?

b. What reasoning might Vanessa have used in her solution

strategy?

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-123

 Solve each equation using a bar model.
4 3
6. __
5
x 5 12 7. __
4
x58

8
__
8. Consider the equation 5
x 5 64.

a. How does this fractional coefficient compare to the

fractional coefficients that you have seen in this lesson
so far?

How do you
know if you need
to compose
or decompose b. Create a bar model and solve for x.
when using bar
models?

Reflect on the equations you solved in this activity.

9. How were they similar? What was common in how you used
the bar models?

M3-124 • TOPIC 2: Equations

 AC T I V I T Y
Solving More Complex
3.3 Multiplication Equations

4 1
Consider the equation __
5
x 5 ___
10
.

1. How is this equation different from the equation you solved in

the previous activity?

Compare the two solution strategies proposed by Landon and Zoe.

Landon’s Solution Zoe’s Solution

4
__ 1
___
5 x 5 10
4 8 x
Scale __ ___
5 up to 10 .
8
___ 1
___ _1 x _1 x _1 x _1 x _1 x
10 x 5 10 5 5 5 5 5

8x 5 1 _4 x _1 x
5 5

1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x __1 _1 of __1
10 4 10

8x __1 __1 __1 __1 __1

40 40 40 40 40
5
__
1 40

1
_ 1
_ 1
_ 1
_ 1
_ 1
_ 1
_ 1
_
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

2. Explain Landon’s solution strategy. 3. Explain how Zoe’s solution is similar to

the other equations you have solved
a. What type of reasoning did Landon with bar models.
use at the beginning of his solution?

b. How did he know to write 8x 5 1?

c. Will scaling up always work?

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-125

 Use a bar model to solve each equation.
NOTES 3
4. __ 2
x 5 __ 2
5. __ 4
x 5 __
4 5 7 9

6. You learned to solve addition equations by first reasoning

with bar models and then with inverse operations. Now that
you have solved multiplication equations by reasoning with bar
models, how do you think that you can solve these equations
without using the bar models?

M3-126 • TOPIC 2: Equations

 AC T I V I T Y
Solving Multiplication
3.4 Equations Without Models

Like addition equations, all of the multiplication equations you have

modeled in this lesson can be solved with one step. You can use the
Properties of Equality and inverse operations to isolate the variable.
What operation is the inverse of multiplication?

WORKED EXAMPLE

Solve the equation 4r 5 32.

4r 5 32

Write equivalent expressions with

4(1r) 5 4(8)
similar structure.
4(1r)
____ 4(8) Use inverse operations to reverse the
4
5 ___
4 multiplication of 4 and 1r.

1r 5 1(8) Perform division.

r58 Identity Property of Multiplication The Identity Property

of Multiplication
states that for any
number m, m ? 1 5 m.
In other words, when
1. Examine the worked example.
you multiply by 1,
a. Check the solution to 4r 5 32. the number stays
the same.

b. Are there other solutions to the equation? How do you know?

2. Use the same strategy to solve each equation.

a. 8a 5 72 b. 11t 5 132

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-127

 When you worked with one-step addition equations, you used the
Subtraction Property of Equality to more efficiently solve the problem.
Similarly, you can use the Division Property of Equality to solve
multiplication problems.

3. Write the properties that justify each step.

6w 5 90
6w
___ 90
6
5 ___
6

1w 5 15

w 5 15

p
4. Diego and Venita are solving the equation 5 5 __
7
.
p
a. Diego says that to solve 5 5 __ 7
, he would divide by 7.
5
The value of p that makes the equation true is __ 7
.
Venita disagrees and says that they should divide
1
by __
7
, and the solution is 35. Who is correct?

b. How can Diego and Venita check to see whose answer is

correct?

M3-128 • TOPIC 2: Equations

5. Compare the solution strategies used by Sydney and Kailey.
What do you notice? NOTES

Sydney Kailey
2
__
5 x 5 20 __2 x 5 20
2
5
__
5x
__
2
__
5
20
5 ___
2
__
5
()
2 5 ()
__5 __2 x 5 __5 20
2
1x 5 20 __
2 (5) 1x 5 50
x 5 50 x 5 50

6. Solve each equation. Check to ensure that your solution makes

the original equation a true statement.
n
a. __
4
57 b. 18 5 3y

3 5
c. __
2
h 5 __
2
d. 3.14s 5 81.2004

1 3
e. 3__
3
5 ___
10
w f. 4.2k 5 14.7

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-129

 AC T I V I T Y
Reasoning About More
3.5 Interesting Multiplication
Equations

Recall that an equation is created by writing two expressions with an

equals sign between them. Equations can be sometimes, always, or
never true.

Consider the equation 7c 5 28d.

1. How is this equation different from the equations you have

solved in this lesson?

2. Generate at least 3 pairs of values for c and d that make the

equation true.

3. What patterns do you notice?

Using number You can use properties of arithmetic and algebra, along with the
sense to rewrite properties of equality, to solve for one of the variables in terms of the
equivalent other variable.
expressions to
solve equations WORKED EXAMPLE
is a valid
strategy. 12a 5 84b
Step 1 12a 5 (12 ? 7)b
Step 2 12a 5 12(7b)
Step 3 a 5 7b

4. Analyze the worked example.

a. Why was 84 decomposed into 12 ? 7?

M3-130 • TOPIC 2: Equations

 b. What property was applied in Step 2?

c. Explain the reasoning from Step 2 to Step 3. Which

property was used?

5. Jesse and Dominic each proposed a solution for the equation

7c 5 28d. Who’s correct?

Jesse Dominic
7c 5 28d 7c 5 28d

7c 5 (7 ? 4)d (__44)7c 5 28d Why is it okay

(4 ? 7)c
______ for Dominic to
7c 5 7(4d) 5 28d 4?
4 multiply by __
4
c 5 28d
28 __
c 5 4d ()
4
c 5d
__
4

Use reasoning to solve each equation for one of the variables.

6. 18m 5 54n 1t
7. 12s 5 __
2

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-131

 NOTES
TALK the TALK

What‘s Your Strategy?

Each equation in this lesson is written as px 5 q, where p and
q are positive rational numbers and x is the unknown. You have
investigated different strategies to solve these equations.

Analyze each given equation.

• Do you recognize a fact family relationship between the
numerical coefficient and the constant?
• Is the numerical coefficient a whole number? A fraction?
Or a decimal?
• Do you recognize a way to form a numerical coefficient of
1 using a Property of Equality?

2n 5 12 2 x 5 14
__ 3x 5 55 1.1m 5 5.5
5
1.45r 5 5.9 7h 5 35 __ 3
x 5 __ 3
8r 5 __
4 8 4
1. Sort each equation according to the solution strategy you
think is most efficient.

Use Number Sense Multiplication

Division Property
to Write Equivalent Property
of Equality
Expressions of Equality

2. Provide a rationale for your choice of solution strategy

or strategies.

M3-132 • TOPIC 2: Equations

 Assignment

Write Remember
Explain how to solve the equation A solution to an equation is the value or values for the variable
px 5 q for x. Be sure to include that makes the equation true. To solve a one-step multiplication
the properties you use in the equation, isolate the variable using number sense, the Division
process. Property of Equality, or the Multiplication Property of Equality.

Practice
1. Solve each equation using a bar model.
a. 3x 5 10 x56
b. __
5
3 x 5 12
c. __ 5 x 5 __
d. __ 2
5 4 3

2. Solve each equation. Check your solutions.

a. 2.1 5 0.5y b. 4r 5 26
2h58
c. __ 8b
4 5 __
d. __
9 3 3
s
e. 14 5 __ f. 3.8x 5 2.736
3

3. Bertrand invites 21 people to his party and wants to give each guest 3 party
favors. If n is the total number of party favors he will need to order, the
n 5 3.
equation that represents this situation is ___
21
a. If Bertrand orders 58 party favors, will he be able to give each guest 3 party
favors? That is, is 58 a solution to the equation?
b. If Bertrand orders 62 party favors, will he be able to give each guest 3 party
favors?
c. How many party favors does Bertrand need to order? Use the equation to
determine the solution. State the inverse operation needed to isolate the
variable. Then, solve the equation. Check your solution.

LESSON 3: Play It In Reverse • M3-133

 Stretch
Like bar models, balances are also used to model equation solving. Consider the balances shown.

On balance A, a water pitcher balances with a juice bottle. On balance B, the water pitcher balances a cereal
bowl and plate. On balance C, three plates balance two juice bottles. How many cereal bowls will balance a
water pitcher?

Review
Solve each equation. Check your solutions.

1. 2.6 1 j 5 7.1
3
21 5 b 1 __
2. ___
5 4

Rewrite each expression as the product of a constant and a sum of terms.

3. 2x 1 5
1 x 1 __
4. __ 3
2 5

Determine the conversion.

5. 6 inches 5 centimeters
6. 10 kilometers 5 miles

M3-134 • TOPIC 2: Equations