Lesson Title

Solving Systems of Equations

Grade Level

Adaptable for grades 6-12

Designed by

Sierra Londenberg

Mathematical Practices

MP1 - Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

MP2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP 5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.

Lesson Goals

The goal of this lesson is for students to explore systems of equations and the various ways we can solve
them. Students should gain an understanding for the importance of systems of equations and the history
which surrounds this topic.

Learning Targets

● I can solve a system of equations using the Cartesian Plane.

● I can solve a system of equations algebraically.
● I can solve a system of equations using matrices.
● I can describe real life applications of systems of equations.
● I can summarize the history of the strategies used to solve systems of equations, mainly matrices.

Resources

● Nolan, R. A. (2017a). In ​Masters of Mathematics: The Problems They Solved, Why These are Important, and
What You Should Know About Them​ (pp. 363-377). Boston: Sense Publishers.

● Nolan, R. A. (2017b). In ​Masters of Mathematics: The Problems They Solved, Why These are Important, and
What You Should Know About Them​ (pp. 481-497). Boston: Sense Publishers.

● O'Connor, J. J., & Robertson, E. F. (1996, February). ​Matrices and Determinants​. Retrieved from MacTutor
History of Mathematics Archive:
http://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/HistTopics/Matrices_and_determinants.html

● Visos, G., & Mosquera, D. A. (2019, March 04). ​Al-Khwarizmi, a Mathematical Bridge Between Civilisations​.
Retrieved from BBVA OpenMind:
https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/mathematics/al-khwarizmi-a-mathematical-bridge-between-civi
lisations/
 ● Willoughby, T. (n.d.). ​Applying Systems of Equations to Real-World Scenarios: A Practical Curriculum​. Retrieved
from Yale National Initiative to Strengthen Teaching in Public Schools:
https://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_07.06.11_u

Materials Provided

● Inverse Matrix Calculator ​https://matrix.reshish.com/inverse.php

● Solving Systems of Equations Outline
● Solving Systems of Equations Worksheet
● Solving Systems of Equations Assignment

Access for All

● EL​ - Allow students to work in groups during the activity. Pair students with others who speak their
native language if possible. During the reading portions of the assignment, allow students to use a
translator application to translate words and phrases they are unfamiliar with. For the assignment,
allow students to work together and create their system of equations together so they can check their
work against each other.

● Special Needs ​- Allow students to work in groups to support each other during the activity. The
history pieces in the lesson are designed to be accessible at various reading levels, but can be edited
to fit various needs. For the assignment, allow students to work together and create their systems of
equations together so they can check their work against each other.

● Low Performance​ - Allow students to work in groups to support each other during the activity. The
history pieces in the lesson are designed to be accessible at various reading levels, but can be edited
to fit various needs. For the assignment, allow students to work together and create their systems of
equations together so they can check their work against each other.

● Advanced​ - Encourage students to research more into systems of equations and practical
applications of them. Students can also do extra research on one or more of the key contributors of
systems of equations. They can share their findings with the class or do a quick write about it and
share with the teacher.

Relevance

This lesson is relevant to students because they will spend a good portion of their mathematics education
solving and working with systems of equations. Even if students don’t pursue mathematics past high school,
this lesson should help them to see when they are using systems of equations in their everyday life even if
they might not realize it. Many students are currently interested in computer sciences and programming, and
in this they will use matrices often to code and analyze data. This lesson could be a great place to get
students interested in this and encourage them to explore deeper.