Who Wants to Fish?: Standard 7.EE.4 (Use variables to represent quantities in real-world or mathematical problems and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. a) 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. b) Solve word problems leading to inequalities of the form px + q > r or px + q < r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers.
This formative assessment exemplar was created by a team of Utah educators to be used as a resource in the classroom. It was reviewed for appropriateness by a Bias and Sensitivity/Special Education team and by state mathematics leaders. While no assessment is perfect, it is intended to be used as a formative tool that enables teachers to obtain evidence of student learning, identify assets and gaps in that learning, and adjust instruction for the two dimensions that are important for mathematical learning experiences (i.e., Standards for Mathematical Practice, Major Work of the Grade).

This lesson is an introduction to Multiple Regression Analysis or MRA, a statistical process used widely in many professions to estimate the relationship among variables. The aim of this video is to make it easier for students to understand the introduction to the concept of MRA based upon a property valuation setting. In order to facilitate students’ understanding of this, a scaffolding method is used whereby students are first exposed to basic equations. Then they will be introduced to the concept of variables, teaching them to calculate property value based on only 2 variables. Their understanding is further enhanced by exposing them to multiple variables related to property valuation. Finally, they are asked to calculate property value based on multiple variables. It is shown in this video that finding the value of two variables is possible using the paired comparison method, but that the same method cannot be applied if we have more than 2 equations; that is when Multiple Regression Analysis is needed. MRA can solve problems related to more than 2 equations. A prerequisite for students is an understanding of basic statistics such as total, average, mod, mean and median.

The purpose of this task is to give students practice writing a constraint equation for a given context. Instruction accompanying this task should introduce the notion of a constraint equation as an equation governing the possible values of the variables in question.

This problem provides an opportunity to introduce the concept of representing operations on unknown numbers algebraically and leads to work on inverse operations. Students are asked to think of a number, follow a sequence of computational instructions and finally to enter the result into the "machine." Students explore how the "machine" works out the starting number. The Teachers' Notes page offers rationale, suggestions for implementation, discussion questions, ideas for extension and support.