Group Activity Cards

Algebra Use groups of 4. Materials: Balance, beans, envelopes

Stationery Equations

Work in pairs. Each pair secretly places an equal number of beans in each of several envelopes and then seals the envelopes.

Decide which pair will go first. The first pair places its sealed envelopes on one pan of the balance. The second pair places the same number of empty envelopes on the other pan. The second pair then tries to guess the number of beans in each envelop by placing an equal number of beans in each envelope until the pans balance.

Write an equation that describes what you have done. Trade roles and repeat the activity.