Teaching Algebra Chapter 4-Equivalence and Equality

Equality and the equal sign (i.e., ‘=’) are introduced to students during the early elementary years, and as a result, student understanding of the symbol is often taken for granted. However, understanding equality and equivalence symbolically, graphically, and numerically is beneficial for success in algebra at all levels. In this chapter we will use GeoGebra and existing applets to explore properties of equality, equivalence, solutions to equations, and equivalent forms of common equations.

This chapter could be used alongside a Module within the Examining Students’ Practices (ESP) in Algebra and Function:

Module 2: Algebraic Equivalence