Teach the Cast
Some of EquationQuest’s cast are still learning. When you teach them, YOU learn it best — catch what they get wrong, then quiz them.
Teach Lever
You be the teacher — Lever is still learning. Helping Lever figure it out is the practice. (Only for you; nothing is saved.)
Teach the connections
Show how the equation-solving ideas connect
You've helped them one at a time. The real understanding is how the ideas CONNECT — teach that next.
Undo (inverse operations) × Lever (keep both sides balanced)
Undo says "subtract 3 to peel it off." Lever says "keep both sides equal." How are those one move?
Undo then says: “To solve x + 3 = 11, I'll subtract 3 from just the left — Undo handles that side.” — is that right?
The link: "do the inverse to both sides" is ONE move — Undo names the operation, Lever names why both sides.
One move, two names: undo it — everywhere at once.
Spread (distribution (clear parentheses)) × Solo (isolate the variable)
In 2(x + 3) = 10, why can't Solo isolate x until Spread has gone first?
Spread then says: “2(x + 3) = 10, so x + 3 = 10 and x = 7 — I'll just isolate straight away.” — is that right?
The link: distribution comes BEFORE isolation — Spread clears the way Solo walks through.
First clear the parentheses, then set x free.
Capstone — solve 2(x + 3) = 10 together
One equation, three ideas. Bring in the right cast member for each step of 2(x + 3) = 10.
First: the x is stuck inside parentheses. Who frees it?
Who do you bring in?
Next: peel the +6 away. Who keeps it legal?
Who do you bring in?
Finally: x is stuck to a 2. Who gets x alone?
Who do you bring in?
The synthesis: distribution opened it, the inverse-on-both-sides kept it balanced, and isolation finished it — three cast members, one solution.
x = 2 — and now they see the ideas aren't separate tricks; they're one chain.
Put it together in the tools →
