This is what the exact paper says
Algebra 1 PAP
Creature teacher
Obj: TLW creat a creature to represent a varable to be used to simplify an expression.
Each student must will be assigned a variable ( mine being C): the student is to create a creature to represent that variable. The student must make 10 creatures for varable. Then the student must make 10 additional creatures to represent that variable squared. The last thing the students must do is to write 5 different problems that someone could use the creatures to complete.
Things to keep in mind:
1. all 10 creatures that represent the variable must be exactly the same.
2. all 10 creatures that represent the variable squared should all be the same but they cant't be exactly like the original ( creature) varible. But these two creatures shouldbe similar.
3. If you are assigned the varable x, use as x in the probles.
4. The probles should be designed so that the creatures (both) can be used to simplify them.
I am a mother trying to help my child but it has been a long time since I have taken Algebra 1 and I just cant make since of this.
Thank You
I am going to ask other math folks to take a look, I make no sense of it either. If after a few hours, no one has given a bite, I will attempt it. Hang on, we will do our best. It is a crazy question.
Hi Mary, I understand from your post that you are the mother of the student.
I really can't tell at what grade level this is supposed to be, but I agree with Bobpursley's earlier comment when you first posted this question.
I also cannot make any sense of this problem.
I have taught math for 35 years, and will readily admit that I have never seen such a silly question before.
If this is type of problems the student's curriculum offers, somebody should take a serious look at it.
Sorry, but I can't shed any light on this.
Mary, and Mary's mom:
One of our other math teachers wrote this to me in an email:
"I cannot make much sense out of the problem, even after reading it a few times.
It sounds to me students are supposed to make the "identical" creatures with scissors and paper and use the creatures to make equations, similar to elementary school workbook problems.
Finally they would reduce the equation to 2X2 + 5X + 7 = 0 or something like that."
He may be or may not be right, this is the best explaination so far. Good luck.
I can definitely help you understand the instructions! In this activity, the students are asked to create creatures to represent a variable in order to simplify expressions. Here's a breakdown of the instructions:
1. Each student is assigned a variable. In your case, your child's variable is "C".
2. The student needs to create 10 creatures to represent the variable "C". These creatures should all be exactly the same. So, your child can draw or imagine 10 creatures that look identical to each other.
3. After creating the 10 creatures for the variable "C", the student needs to create 10 additional creatures to represent the variable squared, which is "C^2". These creatures should be similar to the original creatures for "C", but not exactly the same. They could have some similarities or modifications.
4. Finally, the student needs to write 5 different problems that can be solved using the creatures. The problems should be designed in such a way that both the original creatures for "C" and the modified creatures for "C^2" can be used to simplify them.
For example, let's say the student is assigned the variable "x". They could create 10 identical creatures that look like circles for "x", and then 10 modified creatures that look like squares for "x^2". Then, they can write problems like:
- "Multiply 2x by 3x^2" (where they can use the creatures to represent the variables and simplify the expression)
- "Add 5x to 2x^2" (again, using the creatures to simplify the expression)
I hope this explanation helps you understand the instructions better! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.