How Much Does A Speeding Ticket Really Cost

Students often find little use for their equations. Here is an equation that has some more applicability. What is the true costs of a speeding ticket.

It's easy to estimate the initial costs of a ticket by paying the fine, but it takes some math to tell the true costs  of a ticket

Let the total costs of the ticket be represented by the letter C

Let the costs of the actual ticket be represented by the letter T

Let the anual costs of increased insurance be represented by the letters IC

Let the years be represented by ht e letter t

C = T + IC(t)

John gets a ticket for speeding in a school zone. The ticket itself is $110.00. John calls his insurance to notify them and upon doing so figures out that his monthly insurance plan has been raised by $23. What is the total costs of the ticket over the next 10 years?

T= 110

IC = 23 * 12 = 276

t = 10

C = 110 + 276(10)

C = $2,870

D = RT; Using A Remote Control Car To Solve Equations

Got a remote control car (or know someone that does)? Bring it in to class and have your students bring in their own remote control cars so that we can learn how to solve and manipulate equations.

What you will need:
*Remote Control Car
*Stop Watch
*Track or Field
*Pen and Paper

Iron Man Car

Young Mind

Stop Watch

Using Our Distance Formula:

D = RT

1) Measure off a specific distance on the track
2) Have a student be in charge of the stop watch and the remote control car
3) Use the information attained to determine the rate at which the car travels
4) See what happens if you increase the distance
5) Use the information to restrict and solve for the other variables

Have some fun with your Algebra!

Buy The Play Doh Algebra Math Packet

After much demand, and personal sweat, i have finally put together the Play Doh Algebra Math Packet. You can purchase the packet for $2.99 by clicking the pics above or the link below.


Here is a product description 
"The following packet offers an awesome hands on way for teaching algebra. Each lesson has pictures, a detailed lesson plan, after activity worksheet, powerpoint and homework assignment.

Your students will have a blast learning equations with this activity. Everything is included (except the Play Doh :)"

Equation Sandwich Anyone? How to eat Algebra

I credit this idea to something similar in The Creative Teacher
<------------------------------------ One of the best books for Classroom Creativity




One of the great mysteries of the math teacher is how to get your students to show their steps!  Here is something that might help. Have them create an Equation Sandwich!





First you need bread(2), mustard, tomatoes, mayonnaise,  ham, cheese and lettuce like so

(bread(2), mustard, tomatoes, mayonnaise,  ham, cheese and lettuce)

Each piece represents a step of your algebra problem

2x + 3 + 6x - (-1) = 20 (Bread)

(2x + 6x) + (3 + 1) = 20 (Mustard) 

8x + 4 = 20 (Tomatos)

8x + 4 - 4 = 20 - 4 = (Mayo)

8x = 16 = 16 (Cheese)

8x/8 = 16/8 (Ham)

x = 2 (Lettuce) 

Showing Work (Bread) 

(You Get An Equation Sandwich)

(Eat The Knowledge!)

Matching Lines To Equations

Does the above look familiar? You give your students an equation, ask them to pick arbitrary points for x in order to solve for y. Then take those points, plot them,  and graph the line. Here's a variation from paper and pencil.

Instead of plotting point, try matching lines with equations  

Bolting two pieces of wood together we create an X, Y coordinate. 

Using a straight stick, the students goal is to hold the stick in a way that represents the line drawn when the points were plotted.

Solving Equations Using Weigh Scales

The following is a hand drawn experiment, however, i believe it would best be received if the educators actually used a scale and a real doggy-bowl(or a paper bag) on both sides to represent the variable as well as actually manipulated the experiment so as to show how the scale must balance. Thus, i'm well aware that the hand drawn experiment here is flawed...but i think you'll get the idea :)

How Many Bones Are In The Dog Bowl

Use Algebra To Solve

Now look in the dog bowl to see if you are correct?