School Improvement in Maryland

Higher Order Thinking Skills: The higher order thinking skills shows examples of questions for this concept at various levels of cognitive demand.

Standard 1.0 Knowledge of Algebra, Patterns, and Functions

Topic B. Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities

Indicator 2. Identify, write, solve, and apply equations and inequalities

Objective a. Write equations or inequalities to represent relationships

Assessment limit: Use a variable, the appropriate relational symbols (>, ≥, <, ≤, =) and no more than 3 operational symbols (+, -, ×, ÷) on either side and rational numbers (-1000 to 1000)

Level 1: Knowledge/Comprehension

Write an equation that models the following problem: Terry's salary of $30,000 is double her salary of last year minus $5,000

Sample correct response: 30000=2s - 5000

Level 2: Application/Analysis

Greg rents a bicycle during his summer vacation. The total cost to rent the bicycle includes a one-time charge of $12.00 and an hourly rate of $4.50 per hour. Greg spends a total of $30 for his bike rental. Write an equation that describes the total cost to rent a bicycle.

Sample correct response:
Let h = the number of hours the bicycle was rented. The equation is: 30 = 4.5h + 12

Level 3: Synthesis/Evaluation

Terry and Gerry are biking on Euclid Island. Terry starts cycling from the lighthouse at 3 miles per hour. An hour later, Gerry starts cycling from the same lighthouse in the same direction as Terry at 4 miles per hour. He cycles until they meet. Write an equation that models the problem.

Sample correct response:
Let t represent the number of hours Terry cycles. The distance she cycles is rate•time= 3t. Gerry starts an hour later. His time is then t -1. The distance he cycles is rate•time= 4(t - 1). They both travel the same distance (since they meet). Set the distances equal to each other: 3t = 4(t-1)
/instruction/thinking_skills/mathematics/grade8/xml/1B2a.xml