Activity 1:In this activity the students will use their knowledge of simple algebraic to solve equations and then identify some African-Americans who have made significant contributions to American culture.
 
Match the inventors with their inventions by matching each equation with its solution.
 
______1. A. B. Blackburn 6(y – 5) = 18 A. y = 7  guitar
______2. J. W. Outlaw 3(y + 2) = 12 B. y = -3 traffic signal
______3. J. L. Love -3(y + 2) = -18 C. y = 3 lawn mower
______4. W. A. Deitz 5y + 12 = 3y – 6 D. y = -1/2 wagon
______5. G. T. Sampson 3(y + 1) – 5 = 3y - 2 E. y = 8 Railway signal
______6. W. B. Purvis 3(y + 4) = 3y – 10 F. y = 2 Horseshoes
______7. J. A. Burr 2.9y + 1.7 = 3.5 + 2.3y G. no solution Fountain pen
______8. J. W. West 2.85y – 7 = 12.85y –2 H. y = 4 pencil sharpener
______9. R. F. Flemming, Jr. 5y – 5 = 7y –19 I. y = -9 Shoe
______10. G. A. Morgan 3y – 5 = 7y + 7 J. all real numbers clothes drier
 

Activity 2