Excel and algebra

[gcwind]

Hi,

I am trying to create a spread sheet that shows the algebra behind the brick wall problem.
[]
[][]
[][][]
[][][][] (these should be staggered, like bricks in a wall)

I would like to show how the algebra builds as you travel up the wall. e.g.

[3x+27]
[x+18][2x+9]
[13][x+5][x+4]
[8][5][x][4]

Is it possible to have something like an if statement that says if number and letter then letter plus number. ideally it would always rearrange to have the letter first

Thanks in advance for any help, hopefully my question is understandable

G.

 

[shg]

What do all those numbers and expressions represent? What problem are you trying to solve?

 

[gcwind]

I am not looking for a solution per se, I am looking to have a tower/wall that will fill in the missing information.

So if i fill in the bottom row it will fill in the next one, using algebraic terms. I am trying to develope a teaching resource. The next step would possible be a find the answer, with a reveal but first i want something that shows how it is all built up

 

[shg]

OK, I don't have a clue what all those numbers mean or what you're trying to teach or reveal, but perhaps someone else does.

 

[sous2817]

This seems to be what you're after, but honestly I didn't register for an account to download the power point. May be a good starting point:

Algebra - brick wall - Resources - Share My Lesson

 

[gcwind]

Active Worksheets: applying maths & solving problems

The image on the left. Is the number version.

I would like to sub in algebra variable in place of numbers. So if the bootom row reads 3, 4, x, 7
the next row will have x + 4 and x + 7.

How about i put it differently.

Is it possible to have = A1 + B1 where A1 = 2 and B1 = x, so the output is x + 2?

 

[gcwind]

How about this

Can i have something output so if A1 = 2 and B1 = a, i get a + 2, by adding those two cells?

 

[sous2817]

C2 = a1 & "+" & b1

 

[pgc01]

Hi

Excel and vba don't have a native algebra calculator. You'll have to code it yourself (or get one from a 3rd party).

It helps if you define restrictions.

For ex., using your example, can we say that there is only 1 variable and that in the bottom line all the values are just 1 number or the variable?