Which Is Bigger?
Why do this problem?
This problem requires students to appreciate the significance of
variables in an algebraic expression. Working on the challenges
will offer students the opportunity to apply their understanding of
equations of straight lines and simultaneous equations. The problem
could also be used in preparation for work on inequalities.
Possible approach
Start the lesson by posing the
question:
"Which is bigger, $n+10$, or $2n+3$?"
Give students a short amount of time to decide, and then ask
them to discuss the justification for their answer in pairs. Look
out for any pairs using a graphical argument to support their
conclusions.
Share these discussions as a class. (If everyone agrees that
one particular expression is bigger, use Charlie and Alison's
example in the problem to generate some controversy.)
"Is there any way we could represent what's going on visually,
to convince ourselves that the first expression is bigger when
$n< 7$ and the second expression is bigger when $n>
7$?"
Once there is an
understanding that comparison of the expressions depends on
the variable $n$, and that the comparison can be done graphically,
set the next task:
"For each pair, can you work out when each expression is
bigger?"
$2n+7$ and $4n+11$
$2(3n+4)$ and $3(2n+4)$
$2(3n+3)$ and $3(2n+2)$
Again, give students time to work on this in pairs, making
sure they are ready to justify their answers using the insights
they have gained.
Finally, set them to
work on the challenges offered in the problem. One nice way to
round off the task could be to set up a graph plotting program (
Geogebra is available to
download for free) and ask each pair of students to read out the
expressions they have found. As the expressions are plotted, the
class can quickly decide whether they satisfy the requirements.
This helps to capture the idea that there are infinitely many sets
of expressions that satisfy each condition.
Key questions
Is one expression always bigger?
How can you decide when each expression is bigger?
Possible extension
Introduce challenges that require quadratic expressions as
well as linear ones.
For example:
"Can you find two expressions so that the first is bigger for
$n< 0$ and $n> 3$, but the second is bigger when $n$ is
between $0$ and $3$?"
Possible support
Parallel
Lines may be a suitable preliminary task for students who are
not yet confident at working with equations of straight
lines.