Reasoning and Problem Solving

Step 6: Forming Equations

Teaching note:
Concrete manipulatives may be useful for the Developing and Expected levels of this
resource.

National Curriculum Objectives:

Mathematics Year 6: (6A1) Express missing number problems algebraically

Differentiation:
Questions 1, 4 and 7 (Problem Solving)
Developing Use cards to create an algebraic equation and then create a matching word
problem and concrete representation. Using whole numbers no greater than 10.
Expected Use cards to create an algebraic equation and then create a matching word
problem. Includes some use of decimals or fractions.
Greater Depth Use cards to create an algebraic equation and then create a matching
word problem. Includes decimals and fractions; any operation can be used.

Questions 2, 5 and 8 (Reasoning)

Developing Find and explain which representation is the odd one out. Includes addition
and subtraction of whole numbers no greater than 10.
Expected Find and explain which representation is the odd one out. Includes
multiplication of whole numbers and some use of fractions or decimals.
Greater Depth Find and explain which representation is the odd one out. Includes all four
operations, decimals, fractions and negative numbers.

Questions 3, 6 and 9 (Reasoning)

Developing Identify and explain which word problem does not match a given equation.
Using all four operations and whole numbers less than 10.
Expected Identify and explain which word problem does not match a given equation.
Using all four operations with some decimals or fractions.
Greater Depth Identify and explain which word problem does not match a given equation.
Using all four operations with decimals, negative numbers and fractions.

More Year 6 Algebra resources.

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Forming Equations – Teaching Information
 Forming Equations Forming Equations
1a. Use some of the cards to create an 1b. Use some of the cards to create an
algebraic equation. algebraic equation.

2 – 6 n 8 2 8 n 4 –

Draw an image using concrete materials Draw an image using concrete materials
and write a word problem to match the and write a word problem to match the
equation created. equation created.

D PS D PS

2a. Which is the odd one out? 2b. Which is the odd one out?

A. I think of a number. I add 4. My answer A. I think of a number. I add 3. My

is 7. answer is 5.

B. + = B. + =

C. n – 4 = 7 C. n + 3 = 5

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

D R D R

3a. Chris and Elle are creating word 3b. Toya and Riley are creating word
problems based on the equation below. problems based on the equation below.

p + 5 = 13 2n = 8

Some people were already at

I think of a number. I multiply it
my party. 5 more came. There
by 2 to make 8.
were 13 people altogether.
Chris Toya

I had 13 posters. My sister took I think of a number. I divide it by

some. Now I have 5 posters. 2 to make 8.

Elle Riley
Who is correct? Explain your answer. Who is correct? Explain your answer.
D R D R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Forming Equations – Year 6 Developing
 Forming Equations Forming Equations
4a. Use some of the cards to create an 4b. Use some of the cards to create an
algebraic equation. algebraic equation.

1
4 + n 20 0.5 – 2 6 n
2

Write a word problem to match the Write a word problem to match the
equation created. equation created.

E PS E PS

5a. Which is the odd one out? 5b. Which is the odd one out?

A. I think of a number. I multiply my A. I think of a number. I multiply it by 6.

number by 1 . My answer is 6. My answer is 12.
2

B. = B. =

C. 3n = 6 C. 6n = 12

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

E R E R

6a. Eva and Jackson are creating word 6b. Vansh and Lisa are creating word
problems based on the equation below. problems based on the equation below.

4r ÷ 2 = 8 a – 3.5 = 15.5

I think of a number. I multiply it

15.5m of ribbon has been cut off
by 4 and divide by 2. My
There is 3.5m of ribbon left.
answer is 8.
Eva Vansh

I think of a number. I divide it

3.5m is cut off a piece of ribbon.
by 4 and divide it again by 2.
There is 15.5m of ribbon left.
My answer is 8.
Jackson Lisa
Who is correct? Explain your answer. Who is correct? Explain your answer.
E R E R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Forming Equations – Year 6 Expected
 Forming Equations Forming Equations
7a. Use some of the cards to create an 7b. Use some of the cards to create an
algebraic equation. algebraic equation.

1 3
-2 14 n 20 0.75 -5 20 n 15 0.5
4 4

Write a word problem to match the Write a word problem to match the
equation created. equation created.

GD PS GD PS

8a. Which is the odd one out? 8b. Which is the odd one out?

A. I think of a number. I multiply it by 2.3. I A. I think of a number. I multiply it by 4. I

subtract 3. My answer is 10. add 2. My answer is 14.

B. + = B. + =

C. 2n + 3 = 11 C. -2 + 4n = 16

Explain your answer. Explain your answer.

GD R GD R

9a. Sophia and Otis are creating word 9b. Tom and Jaya are creating word
problems based on the equation below. problems based on the equation below.

-6 = 0.5d – 22 14.75 = 3h – 12.25

My answer is -6. To get this I multiplied a number by 3 and

answer, I divided a number by added it to 12.25 to get an
0.5 and subtracted 22. answer of 14.75.
Sophia Tom

My answer is -6. To get this My answer is 14.75. To get this

answer, I multiplied a number answer, I multiplied a number
by 0.5 and subtracted 22. by 3 and subtracted 12.25.
Otis Jaya
Who is correct? Explain your answer. Who is correct? Explain your answer.
GD R GD R

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Forming Equations – Year 6 Greater Depth
 Reasoning and Problem Solving Reasoning and Problem Solving
Forming Equations Forming Equations

Developing Developing
1a. Various answers, for example: n – 2 = 8. 1b. Various answers, for example: 2n – 4 =
Bessy had some crayons. She gave 2 of 8. Sam has 2 bags of cookies. He eats 4.
them to her friend. She had 8 crayons left. He has 8 cookies left.
2a. Option C, as A and B both represent 2b. Option B, as A and C represent adding
adding 4 to an unknown number. C 3 to an unknown number to give a total of
represents 4 being subtracted from an 5. B represents 4 being added to an
unknown number. unknown number to give a total of 5.
3a. Chris is correct as his answer shows 3b. Toya is correct as 2 n is the same as 2

addition. Elle’s equation is 13 – p = 5. x n. Riley’s equation is n ÷ 2 = 8.

Expected Expected
1
4a. Various answers, for example: 4n + 0.5 4b. Various answers, for example: n–2
2
= 20. Adnan creates 4 fractions using = 6. Half of the people at a party have
shapes. He adds 0.5. His fractions equal 20. already left. 2 more leave. There are 6 left.
1
5a. Option A, as it represents n = 6. 5b. Option B, as it represents 4n = 12.
2
B and C represent 3 n = 6. A and B represent 6 n = 12.
6a. Eva is correct as 4 r is the same as 4 x 6b. Lisa is correct as her equation shows a
r . Jackson has divided r by 4, instead of subtraction of 3.5. Vansh’s equation would
multiplying. be a – 15.5 = 3.5.

Greater Depth Greater Depth

7a. Various answers, for example: 0.75n – 7b. Various answers, for example: 0.5n –
14 = -2. Leon has created an equation. He 20 = -5. Sonya has created an equation.
multiplies an unknown number by 0.75 and She multiplies an unknown number by 0.5
subtracts 14. His answer is -2. and subtracts 20. Her answer is -5.
8a. Option A, as it represents 2.3 n – 3 = 10. 8b. Option C, as A and B both represent

B and C both represent 2n + 3 = 11. 4n + 2 = 14.

9a. Otis is correct as 0.5 d is the same as 9b. Jaya is correct because she has

0.5 x d. Sophia’s equation would be -6 = d subtracted 12.25. Tom’s equation would

÷ 0.5 – 22. be 3h + 12.25 = 14.75.

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Reasoning and Problem Solving – Forming Equations ANSWERS