Rational Numbers

Lesson 10

Math

Unit 4

6th Grade

Lesson 10 of 13

Objective


Model magnitude and distance in real-life situations using order and absolute value.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 6.NS.C.7.C — Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from 0 on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude for a positive or negative quantity in a real-world situation. For example, for an account balance of -30 dollars, write |-30| = 30 to describe the size of the debt in dollars.
  • 6.NS.C.7.D — Distinguish comparisons of absolute value from statements about order. For example, recognize that an account balance less than -30 dollars represents a debt greater than 30 dollars.

Criteria for Success


  1. Use integers to represent real-world values such as elevation and bank account totals.
  2. Use absolute value to represent magnitude and distance in real-world values such as debt and length. 
  3. Understand the relationship between real-world values and magnitude as one or the other changes; for example, if an elevation decreases, the distance from sea level increases.

Tips for Teachers


  • In this lesson, students make sense of magnitude and distance in real-world situations using integers, absolute value, and order. For example, they use a negative integer to represent a debt or elevation, but an absolute value to represent the magnitude of the debt or the distance from sea level (MP.4).
  • This concept can be challenging for students, especially when working with negative situations which can seem counterintuitive. Leverage the visual and physical features of the number line to demonstrate location and magnitude and the difference between them.
Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Anchor Problems

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Ms. Miller checked her bank account balance and saw she had a balance of −$50.

a.   What is the magnitude of Ms. Miller's debt?

b.   If Ms. Miller’s balance changes to be lower than −$50, would she then have more or less debt?

c.   If Ms. Miller’s debt decreases, then what happens to her account balance? 

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Student Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Problem 2

The captain of a fishing vessel is standing on the deck at 23 feet above sea level. He holds up a rope that is tied to his fishing net that is below him underwater at a depth of 38 feet.

a.   Draw a diagram to show the location of the captain, the rope, and the fishing net. 

b.   Label your diagram with the following: $$-{38}$$, $$0$$, $${{23}}$$, $$|-{38}|$$, and $$|{{23}}|$$.

c.   Write an inequality to compare the elevations of the captain and the fishing net. 

d.   Write an inequality to compare the length of the rope out of the water and the length of the rope in the water.

e.   The captain lowers the rope further into the water. Describe what happens to the elevation of the fishing net and to the length of the rope under the water. 

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Student Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

References

EngageNY Mathematics Grade 6 Mathematics > Module 3 > Topic B > Lesson 13Example 2

Grade 6 Mathematics > Module 3 > Topic B > Lesson 13 of the New York State Common Core Mathematics Curriculum from EngageNY and Great Minds. © 2015 Great Minds. Licensed by EngageNY of the New York State Education Department under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US license. Accessed Dec. 2, 2016, 5:15 p.m..

Modified by Fishtank Learning, Inc.

Problem Set

15-20 minutes


Give your students more opportunities to practice the skills in this lesson with a downloadable problem set aligned to the daily objective.

Target Task

5-10 minutes


Blue whales can dive up to 1,660 feet under the surface of the water.  A southern elephant seal dives deeper than a blue whale.

a.   Which of the following could represent the elevation of the southern elephant seal's dive?

  1. A.   −2,000

  2. B.   -1,000

  3. C.   1,000

  4. D.   2,000

b.   Explain why your answer is correct using absolute value.

Student Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

  • Multiple choice with explanation problems similar to Target Task; contexts to use include elevation or account balance.

Next

Use ordered pairs to name locations on a coordinate plane. Understand the structure of the coordinate plane.

Lesson 11
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Topic A: Understanding Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

Topic B: Order and Absolute Value

Topic C: Rational Numbers in the Coordinate Plane

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable math lesson plans for free