Easy Algebra Calculator And Solver

While algebra calculators can be used for simply checking written calculations, teachers need to take full advantage of the potential of algebra calculators as a teaching and learning tool.
Below are several algebra calculator activities that provide the opportunity for students to take risks and investigate basic concepts in mathematics.

Using the Constant Function key to enhance number skills [All levels]

Children can work individually with a algebra calculator or take turns with a partner. The constant function key [= button] provides the opportunity for children to practise their counting skills and see patterns appropriate to their developmental level. Let’s say a student would like to count by threes starting from zero. If he/she enters 0+3= and then continues to press the = button the display will go up by threes. Using a 100 number board and a transparent counter to help follow the patterns works well. As students become familiar using the constant function key they may wish to close their eyes and guess the next answer…. guess the next several answers with their eyes closed as they press the constant function key.

Variations
Change the counting number… try counting by 101, 99, 0.9
Change the starting number
Count backwards using the  – ’n key and constant function. Young children will need to have access to a 100 number board.
Investigate using the constant function key and all four operations. It’s great to practice doubling, tripling, halving, decimals and negative numbers.

Change it – Place value focus. [All levels]

Partner activity where like ability pairs take it in turn to enter a number into the algebra calculator and change digits. For example, one child creates a number and enters it. Lets say 342. He/she then asks the other child to change a digit. For example, change the 4 into a 7. The partner then needs to + 30 and the number becomes 372. Swap over and the activity continues. The students need to determine the value of the digit that is being changed. Place value materials such as MAB may need to be used to help students see the value of digits in different places. If a mistake is made the game simply continues with the new number.

Variations
Simplify the activity for young children by using a single digit number and giving each pair ten unifix cubes so that they can make the numbers and then use the algebra calculator to check.
Vary the range of numbers selected to cater for mixed abilities.
Take it in turns changing digits to make a set number i.e. 999, 0
Use subtraction or addition to change a digit.
Change more than one digit at a time with one move. For example the entered number is 51 478. Change both the digits 1 and the 7 into 6’s with the one move. This can be challenging. Students will need to think along the lines ‘ I will need to add 6 000 and then take away 10. Therefore if I add 5 990 I should get 56 468.
Use decimals in the activity.

Hit the target – place value and addition focus [All levels]

List several suitable target numbers on the board. For example 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 1, 101.01 depending on year level.
Children work in like ability pairs selecting an appropriate target number. They take it in turns to enter a number that is smaller than the target number. The challenge is for the other student to enter the matching number to hit the target. For example. Two children agree to play target 20. Player one enters 12 into the algebra calculator. Player two has the challenge of finding and adding the number to make 20. In this case 8. Swap roles after each shot.
Variations
Use target numbers such as 101, 9.9, 17, – negative numbers.

Make my number – place value and operations focus [All levels]

Tell the children that one of the buttons on your algebra calculator is not working. [You can purchase overhead and individual algebra calculators that have a disabling function key.] Let’s say that the 9 button is not working. The challenge for children is to work out how to display the 9 on the algebra calculator screen using other buttons. If able invite children to write down in order the buttons they used. Ensure that aids such as ten frames boards, counters, unifix, popsticks etc are available for use.

Variations
Using the above example challenge students to make 90, 109, 99, 9009, 9.99
More than one button is broken. For example the 7, 8 and 9 button are not working. Work out clever ways to make the numbers 78, 777, 9087.98 etc.
The 9 button and the + button are not working.
Invite children to make the number 9 ten different ways. Can they use all four operations in their equations? Challenge students to make an equation to equal 99 that uses two or more operations in the one equation.
Teachers and students can make up their own broken button challenges.

Algebra calculators are wonderful tools for children to investigate, discover and use to help make sense of number concepts. While young school beginners are motivated by natural curiosity, low attaining students are provided with an opportunity to think about mathematical relationships and take risks without the burden of written computation. Our high attaining maths students can take the computation short cuts in order to solve complex problems that require higher order thinking skills.

Tags: activities advantage algebra attaining basic beginners burden calculations checking children complex computation concepts curiosity cuts discover full high higher investigate learning mathematical mathematics maths motivated natural number opportunity order potential problems provide relationships require risks school sense short simply skills solve students teachers teaching thinking tool tools variations wonderful