Survival Maths: Unlocking Variables

Slide 1

Year 7 Mathematics Discovering what variables are Using letters in maths

Slide 2

Desert Island Challenge

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 items would you absolutely need to survive? Think about the basics: water, food, shelter, tools

Slide 3

What is a Variable?

A variable is a letter that stands for a number We use letters when we don't know the exact amount The letter can represent different numbers Variables help us solve problems

Slide 4

Survival Variables Game

Match the letter to the survival item: W = Water F = Food R = Resources (firewood) S = Shelter

Slide 5

Variables in Action

{"left":"W can be 1 bottle of water\nW can be 5 litres of water\nF can be 2 tins of food","right":"F can be 10 pieces of fruit\nR can be 3 logs\nR can be 20 sticks"}

Slide 6

Simple Variable Expressions

W + F means water plus food R + S means resources plus shelter These are called expressions They show what we have combined

Slide 7

Create Your Own Variables

Choose a letter for 'Tools' Choose a letter for 'Medicine' Choose a letter for 'Rope' What would T + M + R mean?

Slide 8

Remember

Variables are letters that represent unknown numbers They help us solve real problems You can use any letter you want Variables make maths more powerful!