Solving equations is a high-leverage math skill that can take a lot of practice for students. In today’s Math Monday, we’ll cover one more activity for you to have ready the next time you need to review solving equations. 

The Activity:

In MATH: Loan Repayments Using Simple Interest, students practice identifying key values from word problems, substituting those values into equations, and solving for a variable. 

In the Edpuzzle video, Abby breaks down how to calculate the cost of buying a laptop using a credit card and paying it off over 6 months. 

The practice problems build in complexity, from calculating the total interest paid to calculating the interest rate and time frame, which requires solving for a variable. Finally, students reflect on how interest rates impact the cost of their purchases. 

Building Engagement and Conceptual Understanding:

• Equality Explorer by PhET
• Smallest Solution by Desmos
• Evaluate Expressions Games by Legends of Learning
• Solving Multi-Step Equations by Jeopardy Labs

Extend the Personal Finance Learning: If you’re a math teacher, consider using these resources to further explore loans and managing credit.

• MATH: Compound Interest Pitfalls by NGPF
• INTERACTIVE: Shady Sam by NGPF
• DATA CRUNCH: What Interest Rate Do Consumers Pay on Their Credit Cards? by NGPF
• Question of the Day: What percent of Americans don’t pay their credit card bill in full each month? by NGPF
• PROJECT: Create a PSA or Ad for Predatory Lending by NGPF

For Your Learning: Complete a Summer Challenge before August 6th for a chance to earn amazing prizes! If you’re new to NGPF, check out the upcoming Beginner Series Virtual PD opportunities.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.