Introduction to Algebra with Peeps



Marshmallow Peeps come 10 in a package. Each Peep is 2 inches long. How long will one package of Peeps be if each Peep is lined up in a row with 1/2 inch between them? How long would 2 packages of peeps be if each Peep is lined up in a row with 1/2 inch between them? How long will 75 individual Peeps be if they are lined up in a row with 1/2 inch between them? Can you write a rule to determine how long any number of Peeps would be lined up in a row with 1/2 inch between them? Remember to show all your work, use math representation and as much math language as you can.

It was pretty easy for some students to figure out that 10 Peeps x 2 inches = 20 inches and that 9 spaces x 1/2 inch = 4 1/2 inches so that 1 PACKAGE = 24 1/2 inches


But, when you get to more complicated problems, it became easier to work it out as an algebraic equation.
They determined after doing different amounts of packages of Peeps that the spaces between the Peeps was always the number of Peeps minus 1 and that if the spaces were 1/2 inch spaces, the equation could be written like this, with N being the number of Peeps.
2N + [(N-1)(.5)]

And with this simple beginning algebraic formula, they could figure out any number of Peeps.

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