The word
Algebra can be intimidating to GED students.
Many people have this conception of Algebra...
I always tell my students that they did algebra back in Grade 2 but they just didn't know it.
Grade 1 - 1 + 1 = ▭
We followed the directions and added the 2 numbers together and wrote "2" in the box.
1 + 1 = 2
Grade 2 Day 1
1 + 1 = ▭
We followed the directions and added the 2 numbers together and wrote "2" in the box.
Grade 2 Day 2
1 + ▭ = 4
We followed the directions and added the 2 numbers together and wrote "5" in the box.
1 + 5 = 4
It looked wrong, and we knew it was wrong, but we followed the directions that said we had to add the two numbers together and put the answer in the box.
After a leap in our thinking, we were able to say that...
1 + "something" = 4
That "something" is 3.
1 + 3 = 4
1 + ▭ = 4 The ▭ = 3
So how about 1 + x = 4?
"x" is just a ▭ x = 3
I tell my students that they did Algebra in Grade 2 so they can certainly do it now in GED study.