Today I will use objects to solve comparing word problems that involve smaller unknowns.
Vocabulary
Teacher Resources
Compare Smaller Unknown: “More” Version Word Problems: There are 3 more boys than girls. There are 9 boys. How many girls are there? 9—3=V
Unknown
Solve for the unknown: 9 — 3 = 6 V=6 This problem can also be solved as a missing addend problem. V+3=9 Compare Smaller V=6 Unknown: “Fewer” Version Word Problems: There are 4 fewer basketballs than jump ropes. There are 10 jump ropes. How many basketballs are there? 10 — 4 = W
Unknown
Considerations: Students need to be exposed to many ways to represent the unknown (empty box, letters, and symbols). This lesson prepares students to work with “more” and “fewer” problems. Both will be needed in the following lessons.
These types of word problems can be solved as a subtraction equation or a missing addend equation.
Steps: 1. Listen carefully to the numbers in the word problem. 2. Use the numbers to write an equation using a symbol or letter to represent the unknown. 3. Solve for the unknown.
Application of MPs:
Solve for the unknown: 10 — 4 = 6 W=6
MP2: What math symbol can you use today?
This problem can also be solved as a missing addend problem.
/ *MP1: Make sense of the problem and persevere in solving it! *MP8: Find a strategy to help solve the problem. Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
1. How many more than… ?
State the objective: Today I will use objects to solve comparing word problems where the smaller is unknown.
Read the following word problem: There are 6 more boys than girls. There are 9 boys. How many girls are there?
Model how to put 9 objects (representing the boys) and then take 6 away because there are 6 more boys. Put 3 objects to represent the girls. Boys Girls
Explain that by comparing the two sets of objects, we know there are 3 girls.
Record the equation that represents this word problem and solve for the unknown.
9—6= = 3
Explain that the unknown can also be solved as a missing addend problem.
/ Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
2. How many fewer than… ?
Restate the objective: Today I will use objects to solve comparing word problems where the smaller is unknown.
Read the following word problem: There are 4 fewer basketballs than jump ropes. There are 10 jump ropes. How many basketballs are there?
Model how to put 10 objects (representing the jump ropes) and then take 4 away because there were 4 fewer basketballs. Put 6 objects to represent the basketballs. Jump ropes Basketballs
Explain that by comparing the two we know there are 6 basketballs.
Record the equation that represents this word problem and solve for the unknown.
10 - 4= X X =6
Explain that the unknown can also be solved as a missing addend problem.
Directions: Solve for the unknown in the following problems.
1. How many fewer than…? There are 5 fewer markers than crayons. There are 6 crayons. How many markers are there?
6 — 5 = M or M + 5 = 6 M=1 2. How many more than…? Billy has 2 more folders than Mia. Billy has 12 folders. How many folders does Mia have?
12 – 2 =
or = 10
+ 2 = 12
*MP3: Do you agree/disagree with what
said?
*MP6: How do you know your answers are correct/reasonable?
Recap today’s lesson with one or more of the following MP questions: MP2: What math symbol did you use today? MP6: How did you know your answers were correct? MP7: What steps helped you solve the problems?