Illustrative Mathematics Grade 8, Unit 4, Lesson 2: Keeping the Equation Balanced

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Illustrative Math
Grade 8

Lesson 2: Keeping the Equation Balanced

Let’s figure out unknown weights on balanced hangers.

Illustrative Math Unit 8.4, Lesson 2 (printable worksheets)

Lesson 2 Summary

The following diagram shows how to represent balanced hangers with equations.

Lesson 2.1 Notice and Wonder: Hanging Socks

What do you notice? What do you wonder?

• See Video for Whole Lesson

Lesson 2.2 Hanging Blocks

This picture represents a hanger that is balanced because the weight on both sides is the same.

1. Elena takes two triangles off of the left side and three triangles off of the right side. Will the hanger still be in balance, or will it tip to one side? Which side? Explain how you know.
2. Use the applet to see if your answer to question [1] was correct. Can you find another way to make the hanger balance? Open Applet
3. If a triangle weighs 1 gram, how much does a square weigh? After you make a prediction, use the applet to see if you were right. Can you find another pair of values that makes the hanger balance? Open Applet

Are you ready for more?

Try your own Hanger Balances! Open Applet

Lesson 2.3 More Hanging Blocks

1. A triangle weighs 3 grams, and a circle weighs 6 grams. a. Find the weight of a square. Open Applet b. A triangle weighs 3 grams, and a circle weighs 6 grams. Find the weight of a pentagon. Open Applet
2. Write an equation to represent each hanger

Are you ready for more?

Try your own Hanger Balances! Open Applet

Lesson 2 Practice Problems

1. Which of the changes would keep the hanger in balance? Select all that apply.
   A. Adding two circles on the left and a square on the right
   B. Adding 2 triangles to each side
   C. Adding two circles on the right and a square on the left
   D. Adding a circle on the left and a square on the right
   E. Adding a triangle on the left and a square on the right
2. Here is a balanced hanger diagram.
   Each triangle weighs 2.5 pounds, each circle weighs 3 pounds, and x represents the weight of each square. Select all equations that represent the hanger.
3. What is the weight of a square if a triangle weighs 4 grams?
   Explain your reasoning.
4. Andre came up with the following puzzle. “I am three years younger than my brother, and I am 2 years older than my sister. My mom’s age is one less than three times my brother’s age. When you add all our ages, you get 87. What are our ages?”
   a. Try to solve the puzzle.
   b. Jada writes this equation for the sum of the ages:
   (x) + (x + 3) + (x - 2) + 3(x + 3) - 1 = 87. Explain the meaning of the variable and each term of the equation.
   c. Write the equation with fewer terms.
   d. Solve the puzzle if you haven’t already.
5. These two lines are parallel. Write an equation for each.

The Open Up Resources math curriculum is free to download from the Open Up Resources website and is also available from Illustrative Mathematics.

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