Activity: Algebra Sandwich
Need to practice some algebra? Need to remember to show your work? Not a problem, let's create an Algebra Sandwich.
I credit this idea to something similar in The Creative Teacher. One of the best books for classroom creativity.
What you will need:
- different colored paper
- scissors
- markers
- stapler
The Contents
Let's think about what goes on a sandwich. For this we'll use
- bread (2 pieces)
- mustard
- tomatoes
- mayonnaise
- ham
- cheese
- lettuce
Making the Contents
Using your colored paper and scissors cut out each of the items above, like so:
The Equation
Next, use the following equation to solve for x
2x + 3 + 6x - (-1) = 20
Each piece of your sandwich represents one step of your algebra question:
- Top Bread: 2x + 3 + 6x − (−1) = 20 (Original problem)
- Mustard: (2x + 6x) + (3 + 1) = 20 (Group like terms)
- Tomatoes: 8x + 4 = 20 (Simplify)
- Mayonnaise: 8x + 4 − 4 = 20 − 4 (Subtract 4 from both sides)
- Cheese: 8x = 16 (Simplify)
- Ham: 8x8 = 168 (Divide both sides by 8)
- Lettuce: x = 2 (Solution)
- Bottom Bread: Check: 2(2) + 3 + 6(2) − (−1) = 4 + 3 + 12 + 1 = 20 ✓
Enjoy!
Finally, staple everything together and eat your algebra sandwich
More to Try!
Try making a sandwich for each one of these equations:
- Grilled Cheese (4 steps): 3x + 7 = 22
- Club Sandwich (6 steps): 5(x − 2) + 4 = 19
- Dagwood Special (8 steps): 4x + 7 − 2x + 5 = 3(x + 1) + 5
Original activity by Hands On Math, edited by Rod Pierce.