Labs
Systems with Cuisenaire® rods
Solve a system of equations by arranging rods instead of symbol-pushing. The board asks for 12 rods total, with green 3-rods and purple 4-rods adding to a total length of 39.
Drag-drop system solver
Build x + y = 12 and 3x + 4y = 39
Green rods are x: each one contributes 3 units. Purple rods are y: each one contributes 4 units. Fill exactly 12 spaces while making the total length 39.
Count constraintx + y = 120 / 12 rods placed
x = 12 - y12spaces left for x after y is chosen
123456789101112
Length constraint3x + 4y = 393(0) + 4(0) = 0
Area / space model
3(0) + 4(0) = 0Cuisenaire® rods build the area
all x baseline3(12) = 36target is 39, so the missing space is 3
3-high x space: 0 × 3 = 0 4-high y space: 0 × 4 = 0
Drag 3-rods and 4-rods into the 12 spaces. Make the total length equal 39.
x0green 3-rods
y0purple 4-rods
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