Equation Relay Slides
Math Track & Field
Team Showdown
Active Classroom Competition
EQUATION RELAY RACE
Pass the baton, check your teammate's work, and solve inverse operations at top speed!
Round 1
Two-Step Equations
Round 2
Variables on Both Sides
How to Compete
Official Relay Rules
4 Racers Per Squad
1
Racer 1 Sprints
Player 1 runs to the board, solves Equation A, and runs back with the marker.
2
Check & Correct
Player 2 inspects Player 1's math. If wrong, fix it before solving Equation B!
3
Keep Passing
Players 3 and 4 verify prior steps, solve their equations, and race to tag the desk.
4
All Hands Up!
First team with all 4 verified correct answers scores maximum podium points.
Penalty Zone: Skipping verification or writing without showing operations adds a 15-second freeze!
Skill Refresher
Mastering Two-Step Equations
Inverse Operations
Example Problem
\(3x + 7 = 25\)
Step 1 Undo addition: subtract 7 from both sides
Step 2 Undo multiplication: divide by 3
Board Relay Solution
\(3x + 7 - 7 = 25 - 7\)
\(3x = 18\)
\(\frac{3x}{3} = \frac{18}{3}\)
\(x = 6\)
Check: \(3(6) + 7 = 18 + 7 = 25\) ✓
Rule of Thumb: Clear loose constants first, then isolate the coefficient!
Skill Refresher
Variables on Both Sides
Collect Like Terms
Example Problem
\(5x - 4 = 2x + 11\)
Step 1 Gather variable terms to one side (- 2x)
Step 2 Collect constant terms on opposite side (+ 4)
Step-by-Step Path
\(5x - 2x - 4 = 11\)
\(3x - 4 = 11\)
\(3x = 15\)
\(x = 5\)
Check: \(5(5) - 4 = 21\) & \(2(5) + 11 = 21\) ✓
Pro Tip: Subtract the smaller variable term to keep your coefficients positive!
Round 1 on Deck
TWO-STEP SPRINT
Racer 1 lines up at the starting marker. Racers 2, 3, and 4 stay ready in the pit lane!
4
Stations
One prompt per teammate
100%
Verification
Check previous racer
+10
Bonus Pts
First error-free board
On Your Mark... Get Set... GO!
ROUND 1
Two-Step Relay Board
Live Competition Display
RACER 1 Station A
\(4x + 9 = 33\)
Solve for \(x\) and pass the marker!
RACER 2 Station B
\(\frac{y}{3} - 5 = 7\)
Verify Racer 1, then solve for \(y\)!
RACER 3 Station C
\(-2m + 14 = 2\)
Verify Racer 2, then solve for \(m\)!
RACER 4 Station D
\(6w - 18 = -6\)
Verify all 3, solve for \(w\), hands up!
Teams: Check work carefully before calling FINISH!
Inspection Zone
Round 1 Official Results
Score Review
Station A
\(4x + 9 = 33\)
\(x = 6\)
\(4x = 24 \rightarrow x = 6\)
Station B
\(\frac{y}{3} - 5 = 7\)
\(y = 36\)
\(\frac{y}{3} = 12 \rightarrow y = 36\)
Station C
\(-2m + 14 = 2\)
\(m = 6\)
\(-2m = -12 \rightarrow m = 6\)
Station D
\(6w - 18 = -6\)
\(w = 2\)
\(6w = 12 \rightarrow w = 2\)
Team Score Check: 5 points per correct solution + 5 points if entire baton pass was clean!
Max: 25 Pts
Level 2 Challenge
VARIABLES ON BOTH SIDES
Higher stakes, bigger expressions! Collect your variable terms first, isolate your letters, and run!
Step 1
Target Variable
Move smaller term over
Step 2
Shift Constants
Opposite operation
Step 3
Final Isolation
Divide & conquer
Rotate Racers (New Order)... GO!
ROUND 2
Both-Sides Relay Board
Live Competition Display
RACER 1 Station A
\(7x - 5 = 4x + 16\)
Group variable terms, solve for \(x\)!
RACER 2 Station B
\(3p + 19 = 8p - 6\)
Verify Racer 1, then solve for \(p\)!
RACER 3 Station C
\(10 - 2k = 3k + 35\)
Watch negative signs! Solve for \(k\)!
RACER 4 Station D
\(6n - 8 = 2n + 24\)
Audit previous 3, solve for \(n\), call FINISH!
Anchor Racers: Be sure all signs and inverse operations check out!
Inspection Zone
Round 2 Official Results
Score Review
Station A
\(7x - 5 = 4x + 16\)
\(x = 7\)
\(3x = 21 \rightarrow x = 7\)
Station B
\(3p + 19 = 8p - 6\)
\(p = 5\)
\(25 = 5p \rightarrow p = 5\)
Station C
\(10 - 2k = 3k + 35\)
\(k = -5\)
\(-25 = 5k \rightarrow k = -5\)
Station D
\(6n - 8 = 2n + 24\)
\(n = 8\)
\(4n = 32 \rightarrow n = 8\)
Scoring Check: Award 5 points per accurate solution + bonus points for cleanest peer verification!
Max: 25 Pts
Tiebreaker Sprint
ALL-HANDS LIGHTNING EQUATION
Whole team collaborates on one master board. First team with solution + proof wins the tiebreak!
Master Equation
\(4(x + 3) = 2x + 22\)
Hint 1:
Distribute first: \(4x + 12\)
Hint 2:
Collect \(x\) on left side!
Final Target Answer: \(x = 5\)
Race Finish
Podium & Post-Race Debrief
Champions Circle
Strategy 1
Catching Sign Errors
The fastest teams didn't rush past Racer 1—they caught dropped negatives before they snowballed.
Strategy 2
Balancing the Scale
Whatever operation was performed on one side was immediately balanced on the other side.
Strategy 3
Plug It Back In
Substitution is your guarantee: a 5-second mental check avoids a 15-second penalty every time!
Exit Prompt: Write the golden rule for isolating variables in your notebook!
Great Hustle!
