Year 6 - Maths
Solve problems with two unknowns with one, several and infinite solutions
Solving problems with two unknowns
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will compare and represent the structure of problems with two unknowns using a bar model. They will systematically solve problems with two unknowns using trial and improvement.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to systematically solve problems with two unknowns with one, several and infinite solutions.
Key Notes
- Problems can be represented using bar models.
- Problems can be solved using trial and improvement.
- Different strategies work for different problems.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Precise: If something is precise, it is exact, accurate and careful about the details.
- Infinite: Infinite means without an end. If something is unlimited, you could say it has an infinite number of things.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils resort to trial and improvement each time to solve every problem.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Problems can be represented using bar models. Problems can be solved using trial and improvement.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Precise'
If something is precise, it is exact, accurate and careful about the details. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils resort to trial and improvement each time to solve every problem. Correction: Pupils should look to apply what they know from previous learning and explore the structure of each problem to help them identify how best to solve it. You could come up with a checklist as a class for how best to explore a new problem each time.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Compare the structure of problems with one or two unknowns Study Guide
- Explain how to balance an equation with two unknowns Study Guide
- Explain how to represent an equation with a bar model Study Guide
- Explain how you know you have found all the possible solutions to a problem with two unknowns Study Guide
- Explain why there is sometimes only one solution to a problem Study Guide
- Represent and solve problems with two unknowns efficiently Study Guide
- Represent the structure of a problem with two unknowns in context Study Guide
- Solve problems with two unknowns in a range of contexts Study Guide
- Use a bar model to represent spatial problems with two unknowns Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.