Solving One-Step Equations (Greatest Solution)

Directions: Using the digits 1 to 9, at most one time each, place a digit in each box to create an equation where x has the greatest possible value.

Hint

How does the value of the number being added to x affect the value of x?
How does the value of the sum affect the value of x?
How can we tell whether it is better for the two missing numbers to have a larger or smaller value?

Answer

The equation 12 + x = 98 results in x having a value of 86.

Source: Robert Kaplinsky

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8 comments

  1. If you would like the value of x to be included in the “no repeated numbers”, the equation would be 12 + x = 97 and x = 85

  2. Talking with some colleagues, we are thinking that this problem may fall better under 6.EE.6. Good problem either way.

  3. X cannot be greater than 9 right? If so than:

    1 x 3 + x = 2 x 6
    3 + x = 12
    x = 9
    9 is the biggest possible number.

  4. Your website is too full of glitches to use I would give it a 2.5 star review

  5. Rudolf Österreicher

    Adding onto that: The smallest possible value for x is 2 in the equations
    29+x=31
    39+x=41
    49+x=51
    59+x=61
    69+x=71
    79+x=81

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