Solving Word Problems Involving Proportions

Lauren DeClemente
Wednesday November 12, 2014
AIM: How can we set up and solve proportions using cross-multiplication in order to
solve word problems?
Do Now: Give students the Starbucks problem. After completion, invite students to
discuss their solutions and how they obtained them. There may be more than one way
that students came up with their answer.
Objectives: Students will be able to set up and solve proportions using crossmultiplication in order to solve word problems.
Procedure:
Have students complete the Do-Now question independently or with a partner
close by.
Have students discuss their solutions for the Do-Now with the class.
Compare/contrast different methods of obtaining the same answer.
Model to students how to solve the Do-Now question by setting up and solving a
proportion using cross-multiplication using a Think-Aloud strategy.
Invite students to watch a Brain Pop video which also demonstrates how to set up
and solve a proportion using cross-multiplication to solve a problem.
Dipstick Ask students to put their thumbs up if they are comfortable with the
material, thumbs in the middle if they are somewhat comfortable and thumbs
down if they are not comfortable with the material.
Put students into groups of 4. 2 students will work on Worksheet A (level 1) and
2 students will work on Worksheet B (level 2). As students complete problems,
they can ask their group members or the teacher for assistance. Teacher will
circulate. Students will record their answers on the answer sheet and find the sum
of each answer obtained on the two worksheets. This holds all group members
accountable for their work. The answer sheet will be collected at the end of the
period, along with the exit ticket.
Questioning:
Why is this a proportional relationship?
What should we remember when setting up a proportion?
Why can we cross multiply?
How to we get x alone? Why does this work?
Assessment: Dipsticking (Thumbs Up/Middle/Down), Do-Now, Cold-calling,
Circulation during group work, group work worksheet performance and performance on
the exit ticket.
Summary/Closure: Exit Ticket
Homework: Worksheet