Activity
Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns series: Algebraic Equations
Explore how to identify trends, write algebraic equations and build confidence using accessible digital tools like JAWS and Microsoft Word!
The Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns series is a 3-part collection of accessible lessons that guide students in exploring number patterns and using digital math tools. Part 1 focuses on navigating Excel with JAWS to access and interpret challenging number patterns. Part 2 guides students in identifying number patterns and writing algebraic equations, using accessible tools like JAWS with a Word document to support meaningful math learning.
A previous post, Making Sense of Patterns with Algebraic Thinking sets the stage with the foundational Number Game activity.
Objective
- You will learn to navigate the Equation Editor in Microsoft Word with JAWS to understand challenging number patterns
Required digital tools
- JAWS screenreader installed in Windows
- Microsoft Word
Review from Part 1
Imagine a table with numbers from 0 to 99. Each number is associated with a symbol. Open the Excel workbook “Number Jumbler” with JAWS. The Excel workbook has two worksheets, Trial 1 and Trial 2. Each worksheet has a column of numbers and a column of symbols to its right that is associated with that number. Watch the video in the previous post to learn to use JAWS to navigate Excel to play the Number Jumbler.
Follow the instructions below.
a) Choose any two-digit number from the first worksheet “Trial 1”
b) Add together both the digits
c) Subtract the total (that you got from (b)) from the original number
d) Read the symbol that goes with that number on the right column
e) Go to the tab “Magic Symbol for Trial 1,” and it should be the symbol you got in “d”.
Let’s take an example:
Say we chose number 38.
Choose a 2-digit number: 38
Add the 2 digits: 3+ 8 = 11 below
Subtract this sum from your original number: 38 – 11 = 27
Demystifying using the language of algebra
The number you think of can be anything, so let’s call the two digits of a number as the variable “x” (tens digit) and the variable “y” (ones digit). Let us follow the number jumbler step by step with this two-digit number (10x + y).
Note: Screen readers will read the equations correctly in this Word document. Download the accessible Word document version of this post here.
Watch the video below to use a MS Word document with JAWS to write equations. The video is for adding equations for a Number game. However, learn the keyboard commands to add the equations for the Number Jumbler as explained below.
- Think of a 2-digit number: 10x + y
- Add the two digits of the number: (x + y)
- Subtract the total from the original number: 10x + y – (x + y)
- Use the distributive property: 10x – x + y – y + 1-x – x
- Separate the variable “x”: 10x – 1x = 9x
Do you see what is happening here? Does this match your observation with different numbers? Do the calculations using the language of Algebra help you understand why your answer is always a multiple of 9, no matter what number you think of? Now, going back to the Excel worksheet, you will notice the symbol “house” is written for all multiples of 9.
Video 1: Writing Equations with Word and JAWS: This video demonstrates the Number Game using the variable “x” in Word with the built-in math editor and JAWS.
- Video transcript: Writing Equations with Word with JAWS
- JAWS keyboard Commands – Word Built-in Math Editor document
Reflection of concept
When working with more complex number patterns, we learned to navigate the MS Excel spreadsheet with a large dataset of numbers in Part 1. This helped us to quickly understand the pattern that emerged from the Number Jumbler game. We then used algebraic reasoning to explain how this number pattern came to be. Isn’t Algebra fun?!
Number Jumbler activity resources
- Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns series: Excel with JAWS (Number Jumbler activity)
Resources
Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns series:
- Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns: Excel with JAWS (Part 1)
- Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns: Algebraic Equations (Part 2)
- Creating and Analyzing Challenging Data Patterns: Excel Formulas (Part 3)
Additional Resources:
- Making sense of patterns with algebraic thinking (Number Game using JAWS and Microsoft Word)
- TEAM Initiative website page (Full list of TEAM Initiative digital math resources)
This post was created as part of the TEAM Initiative to assist Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs) in teaching foundational tactile skills, which are essential before introducing students to digital math concepts. Written by TVI Anitha Muthukumaran and content expert, Kanchana Suryakumar. If you would like more information about the TEAM Initiative, contact Leslie Thatcher at [email protected].
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