Making Sense of Equations

Whether you realize or not, mathematics is actually a language. The purpose of a language is to communicate, and mathematics is how we communicate about quantities and logical relationships. We do so by using signs, symbols, and other mathematical terms.One of the most important communication tools in the language of math is an equation. When students can use equations fluently, it helps them communicate in math more precisely, and it helps them more easily make sense of math. Equations help us solve a variety of problems, from figuring out how many laps a swimmer must complete during her workout to figuring out how much it will cost to go on vacation.Like any communication tool, equations are full of nuances. These countless little details can either cause a great deal of confusion, or they can be opportunities to build precision and fluency.Making Sense of Equations focuses on precision and fluency, and it helps students notice the little details that have a big impact on understanding.