few_shots: 
Example 1:
Problem/activity:
You’re mixing ingredients for cookies. The recipe says to combine 6 tablespoons, or ¾ stick, of butter with 1 cup of sugar. You accidentally mix in a whole stick of butter (8 tablespoons) with the cup of sugar. How can you fix this?


Concept/skill: 
Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.

Answer: 
No. Usually problems that teach recognizing and representing proportional relationships between quantities involve deciding whether two quantities are in a proportional relationship or identifying the constant of proportionality, and then representing proportional relationships by equations or explaining proportional relationship using coordinate graphs.

Example 2:
Problem/activity:
For each pair of numbers, determine if the values are equivalent. Explain your reasoning for each one.
a.
$$-0.25$$
and
$$\frac{1}{-4}$$
b.
$$-\left ( \frac{1}{4} \right )$$
and
$$\frac{-1}{-4}$$
c.
$$\frac{-1}{4}$$
and
$$-\frac{1}{4}$$


Concept/skill: 
Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division and of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers.

Answer: 
Yes. This problem involves understanding fractions and division to divide rational numbers, such as 1, -4, 4, and -1. This problem also involves an understanding of multiplication: if p and q are integers, then -(p/q) = (-p)/q = p/(-q).

Example 3:
Problem/activity:
Problem 1
The table below contains single equations in a single variable, single equations in two variables, and pairs of simultaneous equations in two variables. Check the appropriate box to show whether there is no solution, exactly 1 solution, or if there is an infinite number of solutions.
{"table": [{"_attributes": {"align": "center", "class": ["table", "table-bordered"], "style": "table-layout:fixed; width:70%"}, "tbody": [{"tr": [{"td": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "strong": [{"_value": "No solution"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "strong": [{"_value": "Exactly 1 solution"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "strong": [{"_value": "Infinite number of solutions"}]}]}, {"td": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${9=4x+7}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${y=3y+5}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${y={x\\over2}}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"p": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${3x+6y-9=0}$$"}]}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"p": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${x=y}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${1.25x=1.25y}$$"}]}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"p": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${9.9=6x+8y}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${9x=2.5y-8.8}$$"}]}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}]}, {"td": [{"p": [{"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${11x-2y=1.5}$$"}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}, "span": [{"_attributes": {"class": ["math-tex"]}, "_value": "$${11x-2y=2.5}$$"}]}]}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {"_attributes": {"style": "text-align:center"}}, {}]}]}]}]}
Problem 2
Kim has a small container and a large container as shown.
[IMG]
It takes 16 of the small containers to fill the large container. Three small containers leave 1.95 gallons of space in the big container.
What is the size of each of the two containers?


Concept/skill: 
Analyze and solve pairs of simultaneous linear equations.

Answer: 
Yes. The last three rows of the table in the first problem involves solving pairs of simultaneous linear equations. The second word problem can also be represented as two simultaneous linear equations.

Now, does the problem or activity shown below enable students to learn the full intent of the following concept or skill?

shot_info: fl_problem_000972_neg_0

6

fl_problem_001097_pos_0

7

fl_problem_001392_pos_0

8
standard_description: Use congruence and similarity criteria for triangles to solve problems and to prove relationships in geometric figures.
problem_activity: Optional activity
In both subsequent lessons and units, students will work extensively with similar right triangles. This activity gives students opportunities to practice the Pythagorean Theorem, and apply similar triangles in a contextual problem.
Launch
If students struggled to use the Pythagorean Theorem in a previous lesson:
Begin by asking students what they notice and wonder about the image from this activity.
Draw students’ attention to the right triangles, and ask them what must be true about the side lengths.
Provide some possible lengths for sides and have students practice finding an unknown side length in an isosceles right triangle to allow students to practice working with the square root of 2.
Speaking, Reading: MLR5 Co-Craft Questions.
Use this routine to increase awareness of the language used to talk about similar right triangles. Before revealing the questions in this activity, display the image of the quilt design made of right isosceles triangles. Ask students to write down possible mathematical questions that could be asked about the image. Invite students to compare their questions before revealing the actual questions. Listen for and amplify any questions about the features of the right triangles. For example, “Are all the right triangles similar?”, “What is the scale factor between the small and large right triangle?”, and “What are the side lengths of the right triangles?”
Design Principle(s): Maximize meta-awareness; Support sense-making
Student Facing
Here is a quilt design made of right isosceles triangles. The smallest squares in the center have an area of 1 square unit. Find the dimensions of the triangles.
[IMG]
Are the triangles similar? If so, what are the scale factors?
This quilt is meant for a baby (1 unit = 6 inches). To make a quilt for a queen-size bed, it needs to be 90 inches wide. What dimensions should the center squares of the big quilt have to reach that width?
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Student Response.
Student Facing
Are you ready for more?
Here is a quilt design made of right triangles. Find as many different size triangles as you can.
[IMG]
Write similarity statements for 2 pairs of triangles.
The smallest triangles have legs 2 units and 3 units long. Write some equivalent ratios or equations that will help you determine the dimensions of triangle
\(LCQ\)
. Use your equivalent ratios or equations to find the dimensions of triangle
\(LCQ\)
.
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Extension Student Response.
Anticipated Misconceptions
Students who struggle with the number of similar triangles in the image can trace each size triangle separately onto tracing paper and label the corresponding sides using colored pencils.
Activity Synthesis
A key point to emphasize in this discussion is that ratios in which each ratio compares side lengths within each figure are also equivalent across similar figures. That is, for a triangle with side lengths
\(a, b, c\)
, and a similar triangle with corresponding side lengths
\(x,y,z\)
, we have equivalent ratios such as
\(\frac{a}{b} = \frac{x}{y}\)
.
Invite students to share strategies for scaling the figure up from a baby blanket to a quilt for a queen-size bed.


aligns: yes