Solving Equations – Onion Skin Methods

Girls Peeling Onions
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If trying to solve math equations is driving you to tears, then “The Onion Skin” methods might help make your life a bit easier.

It’s like a pair of goggles that will clear everything up for you, and make you feel happy again!

Passy only discovered this method recently, by seeing a teacher called Nadia, who works with Passy, showing some students how to do this.
(Thanks for sharing this great idea Nadia).

The idea of the method, is that our variable letter is at the center of the onion, and then has skins built onto it by the operations which have been applied to it in the equation.

We then look at peeling back the skins, using reverse operations, to get back to our original variable letter.

Finally we apply these reversing operations to the number value on the right hand side of the equation.

This then gives us a numeric solution to the equation.

Basically it is just another means of doing the “Flowcharts Back-Tracking Method”, and provides a great scaffold for students who are beginners at solving Algebra Equations.

Many “Purists” are not particularly fond of these diagramatical methods. However, here at Passy World we are a firm believer in using diagrams to assist those students who are not yet at a level to work with the abstract “doing to both sides” Algebraic methods.

 
 

BODMAS/PEMDAS Order of Operations

Here is a quick review of the Operations we look for when solving Algebra Equations.

BODMAS PEMDAS Order of Operations
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For the Equation: 2N + 5 = 11

Operations are + 5 and x2

BODMAS or PEMDAS for these is x2 then + 5

 

Here are the “Opposite Operations” we need to know when solving Equations.

Opposite Operations for Equations
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For our previous example: 2N + 5 = 11

1) Operations are + 5 and x2
2) BODMAS or PEMDAS for these is x2 then + 5
3) Opposites are /2 and -5

 
 

Onion Skin Methods for Equations

In this lesson we look at two “Onion Skin” methods for solving Algebra Equations.

The first method uses a flowchart type diagram containing two onions, which we call the “Double Onion Method”.

The second method is a quicker method, that uses only one onion, and is called the “Single Onion Method”.

We recommend starting off using the “”Double Onion Method”, but then upgrading to use the quicker “Single Onion Method” as soon as you are comfortable to do so.

 
 

Double Onion Method

The “Double Onion Method” involves drawing two identical onions next to each other, and following through a set of working out steps in a specific order.

Onion Skin Solving Equations One
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The following diagrams show how to work through these steps for the simple equation: n + 5 = 7

Solving Equations with Onion Skins Two
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If the onion skins have been done correctly, then working outwards from the centre, the operations should be in BODMAS/PEMDAS oder.

Here are the remaining steps of the working out.

 

Onion Skin Solving Equations Three
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Onion Skin Method Solving Equations Four
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Onion Skin Method Solving Equations Five
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Onion Skin Solving Equations Six
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Double Onion Two Step Equations

The following diagram shows a fully worked example of using the two onion method for a two step Equation.

Onion Skin Solving Equations Seven
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Note that the + – x / operations inside the left hand onion should always go from the centre outwards in BODMAS/PEMDAS Order.
 

The next fully completed example is for a two step equation which contains brackets.

Onion Skin Solving Equations Eight
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Note that the + – x / operations inside the left hand onion should always go from the centre outwards in BODMAS/PEMDAS Order.

 
 

Single Onion Method

The “Single Onion Method” is a quicker method, which uses only one onion.

It is recommended to learn the “Double Onion Method” first, and then progress on to use this single onion method.

The single onion method involves drawing onion rings around the equation which needs to be solved.

These onion skins are created by first drawing a centre skin around the letter variable.

We then create skins outwards from here, following the BODMAS/PEMDAS order of operations.

The outermost skin should enclose the entire equation.

Here is a single onion diagram for our previous example equation:

N + 5 = 7

Onion Skin Solving Equations Nine
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To solve the Equation, we work from the biggest outer skin, inwards through the smaller skins, applying opposite operations, until we reach the central letter variable.

The following diagram shows our completed equation solution.

Onion Skin Solving Equations Ten
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Single Onion Method Examples

The following are some fully completed Single Onion Method questions.

They show the onion diagram, followed by the application of the “opposite operations”, to reach the final solution answer.

Onion Skin Solving Equations 11
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Onion Skin Solving Equations 12
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Onion Skin Solving Equations 13
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It is very important when doing the reversing steps, that they are done without a calculator, in the exact order that the “peeling” inwards occurs.

From the onion methods, it should not be too hard to later move to the non-diagram Algebraic working out of equations.

The onions are a handy helper for equations, and generate the reverse order steps, which are essential for solving equations.

The starting onion can be used to work out the reverse operations, and then the normal algebraic operations to both sides steps can be done on the actual equation. The degree to which the diagrams are used is really up to the skill level of the individual student.

 
 

Factorising Using an Onion Skin Method

There is also an Onion type method that can be used for finding factors of numbers.

This is demonstrated in the following video.

 
 

Boom Crash Opera – Onion Skin

Finally, (for no particular mathematical reason whatsoever), here is one of Passy’s all time favorite songs called “Onion Skin”, by Australian Band “Boom Crash Opera”.

 
 

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