Algebra: Modelling Equations: Visual Balance Scale Worksheet

Need an easy, visual activity for your early algebra unit? These simple balance scales model one and two step equations and show students why the golden rule of algebra works.

Teacher instructions:

- Students can physically cross off cubes on each side of the equation to make them balance

- Or you can give them bags and cubes to model the equations in a tactile way

Grades to Use With:

This activity works well in grades 6-8 when introducing the early concepts of algebra, or it could be used in high school special education classes to make algebra more accessible for your students.

Standards:

CCSS6.EE.B.5

Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation or inequality true.

CCSS6.EE.B.7

Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form 𝘹 + 𝘱 = 𝘲 and 𝘱𝘹 = 𝘲 for cases in which 𝘱, 𝘲 and 𝘹 are all nonnegative rational numbers.

CCSS7.EE.B.4

Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities.

CCSS7.EE.B.4a

Solve word problems leading to equations of the form 𝘱𝘹 + 𝘲 = 𝘳 and 𝘱(𝘹 + 𝘲) = 𝘳, where 𝘱, 𝘲, and 𝘳 are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. Compare an algebraic solution to an arithmetic solution, identifying the sequence of the operations used in each approach. For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is 54 cm. Its length is 6 cm. What is its width?

3 page PDF: Title Page and 2 page worksheet for your students. Print double-sided and you are ready to go!