Linear Equations Know How to Party

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You only have a certain amount in your budget to throw a birthday party for your brother, so you definitely want to make sure that you do not overspend.

• Did you know that there is a way to write an equation to help you figure this out?

Let's give it a try!

First, check out the flyer below with the ice cream parlor's birthday party rates:

If you only have a few kids to invite, it is not too difficult to determine the cost.

• But what if you want to invite a lot of kids?
• Or what if you want to determine how many kids you can invite based on your budget?

Here's how to set up an equation to help you!

Let T represent the total cost, and have k represent the number of kids.

The $30 setup fee (which is paid just once) plus $7 per kid equals the total cost. The equation will look like this:

• How much would it cost to have 11 kids at the party?

It's 11 kids, so 11 will go in the place of k:

So, the total cost would be $107 to include 11 kids at the party.

• What do you do if you know the amount of money you have to spend but don't know the number of kids that it will cover?

Let's say you have $135 to spend.

• How do you set it up?

The total cost would be $135, so 135 will go in the place of T.

So, you could have 15 kids at the party.

And that's how to solve linear equations! Always look to see where you need to substitute the numbers and then solve!

Now that you have a handle on solving linear equations, let's move on to the Got It? section.