Download The Model Method and Algebraic Word Problems

The Model Method and
Algebraic Word Problems
The model method lays the foundation for learning formal
algebra. In the Age Problem below, rectangular bars are
used to represent an unknown quantity.
Age
Problem
✎
✎
Jake is 3 years older than Kyla and 2 years
younger than Larry. The total of their ages is
41 years. Find Jake’s age.
?
Jake is 3 years older than Kyla,
Jake’s age
so the bar that represents Kyla’s
3
age is shorter than the bar that
Solution
represents Jake’s age.
2
Larry’s age
Jake is 2 years younger than
Larry, so the bar that represents
3 units = 41 + 3 – 2 = 42
Larry’s age is longer than the bar
1 unit = 14
that represents Jake’s age.
Jake is 14 years old.
In using the model method with algebraic word problems, we
can see three distinct advantages:
It helps students derive algebraic expressions.
It helps students construct algebraic equations.
It helps students simplify algebraic equations.
Teaching to Mastery • Bar Modeling: A Problem-solving Tool
41
Kyla’s age
5
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