What's a Formal Check Step?

Today we learned how to show a formal check step for problems related to equation solving. The benefits of doing a check step as part of the equation solving work include finding calculation errors and verifying that the solution you found actually works. Of course, when taking a test, knowing that the answer is correct because the check step works is an added benefit.

The primary steps to showing a check step include:
a. State the original problem
b. Show the substitution of the solution into the problem
c. Use the order of operations to solve the problem
d. Work through the problem until both sides of the equation are equal

We practiced using check steps on a variety of problems, ranging from rather simple (one and two step problems with integers) to fairly complex (including either fractions or decimals).

Tonight's Homework: Home Book page 86 ( 12 - 36, FCO ) FCO stands for First Column Only. Show a check step for each problem.