You can explain an argument verbally, numerically, algebraically and or graphically.
 

Discussing a problem and listening to each other will help you to understand a problem better. 
     You may agree or disagree on an answer, but by talking it out you can find out which answer is correct.

Here are some examples where two students discuss how they solve a problem.

Paul and Catherine are discussing the following problem.


Paul earns $25 cutting the grass and he cuts 3 lawns a week.  He spends $7 for gasoline for the mower.  How much money does he make in one week?

Paul says he makes 70 dollars, but Catherine disagrees. 
 
Catherine explains to Paul how she solved the problem.
First she added the money Paul made, $25 x 3 = $75. 
Then she subtracted the amount he spent on gasoline.

$25 x 3 = $75 - 7 = $68
Paul made $68. 

This example helped Paul to understand how his answer was incorrect.
 

  Here's an example of Steve and Caitlin explaining an algebraic expression.

 Algebraic Expression
Steve has d dollars in the bank. Caitlin has 3 times as much money as Steve.
How much money does Caitlin have?
 

Steve says she has 3d dollars, but Catherine disagrees. 
 
Steve explains to Caitlin
If d= dollars, than 3d or 3 x d represents how much money she has.

Caitlin has 3d or 3 x d

This example helped Caitlin to understand the algebraic expression.

Graphs can be used to help explain a problem.
John and Donna are discussing the following problem.

Donna thinks that more students have dogs than cats for pets.

John thinks that more students have fish for pets.

Donna explains to John that they can survey the students and draw a graph to help
 understand and solve the problem.

Drawing a graph helped John to understand how her answer was correct.

Remember: It is helpful to discuss problems.

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