Using Diagrams to Model and Solve Equations

A diagram is a visual representation of an equation that helps you see the relationship between quantities before you write a single algebraic symbol. Bar diagrams (also called tape diagrams or strip diagrams) partition a total into parts, making it easy to translate a word problem or described situation into an equation and then solve it. This strategy appears throughout GED Math and is especially useful for one-step equation problems.

What Is a Diagram Model for an Equation?

A bar diagram uses a rectangular bar divided into labeled sections to represent quantities. The whole bar represents a total; the sections represent the parts or the unknown.

GED Math for Beginners 2027 The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Preparing for the GED Math Test

Download

$27.99 Original price was: $27.99.$17.99Current price is: $17.99.

Rated 4.34 out of 5 based on 106 customer ratings

Satisfied 92 Students

For the equation \(\color{blue}{n + 7 = 15}\):

• Draw a bar labeled 15 for the total.
• Divide it into two parts: one labeled 7 (known part) and one labeled n (unknown).
• The diagram shows visually that \(\color{blue}{n = 15 – 7 = 8}\).

Types of Diagrams Used for Equations

Type 1: Bar (tape) diagram for addition/subtraction equations

Model \(\color{blue}{\text{ part } + \text{ part } = \text{ whole }}\). A long bar is divided into a known part and the unknown.

• \(\color{blue}{x + 5 = 12}\) → bar of 12, one section is 5, the other is x. Solve: \(\color{blue}{x = 7}\).
• \(\color{blue}{n – 4 = 9}\) → bar of n, one section is 4, one section is 9. So \(\color{blue}{n = 13}\).

Type 2: Equal-groups diagram for multiplication/division equations

Model \(\color{blue}{\text{ groups } \times \text{ items per group } = \text{ total }}\).

• \(\color{blue}{3n = 18}\) → draw 3 equal boxes totaling 18. Each \(\color{blue}{\text{ box } = 6}\). Solve: \(\color{blue}{n = 6}\).

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Read the problem and identify the total, known parts, and the unknown.
2. Draw a bar for the total; label known parts and mark the unknown with a variable.
3. Write the equation that the diagram represents.
4. Solve the equation (add, subtract, multiply, or divide both sides).
5. Check by substituting the solution back into the original equation.

Watch: Solving One-Step Equations Step-by-Step (Math with Mr. J)

Math with Mr. J walks through a complete guide to solving one-step equations, which pair perfectly with diagram models:

Worked Examples

Example 1: Model and solve using a diagram: \(\color{blue}{n + 7 = 15}\).

Bar of 15 split into 7 and n. The diagram shows \(\color{blue}{n = 15 – 7 = 8}\).
Equation: subtract 7 from both sides: \(\color{blue}{n = 8}\). Check: \(\color{blue}{8 + 7 = 15}\) ✓

Example 2: Model and solve: \(\color{blue}{3n = 18}\).

Draw 3 equal boxes totaling 18. Each \(\color{blue}{\text{ box } = 18 \div 3 = 6}\).
\(\color{blue}{n = 6}\). Check: \(\color{blue}{3 \times 6 = 18}\) ✓

Example 3: Model and solve: \(\color{blue}{n – 5 = 11}\).

Total \(\color{blue}{\text{ bar } = n}\); one \(\color{blue}{\text{ section } = 5}\), \(\color{blue}{\text{ remaining } = 11}\). So \(\color{blue}{n = 11 + 5 = 16}\).
Equation: add 5 to both sides: \(\color{blue}{n = 16}\). Check: \(\color{blue}{16 – 5 = 11}\) ✓

Example 4: A bar is divided into four equal parts with a total of 28. Write and solve the equation for each part.

Equation: \(\color{blue}{4p = 28}\). Diagram: 4 equal boxes totaling 28. Each \(\color{blue}{\text{ box } = 7}\).
\(\color{blue}{p = 7}\). Check: \(\color{blue}{4 \times 7 = 28}\) ✓

More Practice: Modeling with Linear Equations (Khan Academy)

This Khan Academy video shows how to set up and solve equations from real-world model contexts:

Exercises

Draw a bar diagram and solve each equation.

1. \(\color{blue}{x + 8 = 20}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{y – 6 = 14}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{5n = 35}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{a + 12 = 27}\)
5. \(\color{blue}{4m = 32}\)
6. \(\color{blue}{n – 9 = 15}\)

Answers

1. \(\color{blue}{x = 12}\)
2. \(\color{blue}{y = 20}\)
3. \(\color{blue}{n = 7}\)
4. \(\color{blue}{a = 15}\)
5. \(\color{blue}{m = 8}\)
6. \(\color{blue}{n = 24}\)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a tape diagram work?

A tape diagram is a long rectangle that stands for a whole amount, split into sections for the parts. Known parts get numbers and the unknown part gets a letter. For n + 7 = 15, draw a bar labeled 15, mark one section 7 and the other n. The picture makes it clear that the missing piece is 15 − 7 = 8.

How do you solve one-step equations with a tape diagram?

Decide whether the equation is about parts and a whole or about equal groups. For x + 5 = 12, draw one bar of 12 with sections 5 and x, so x = 7. For n − 4 = 9, the whole bar is n, made of sections 4 and 9, so n = 13. Once the bar is labeled, you only need one subtraction or addition.

How do you use a tape diagram for two-step equations?

Draw equal sections for the variable part and one extra section for the constant. For 3x + 4 = 19, draw three boxes labeled x plus a box labeled 4, all adding to 19. Remove the 4 first: the three x boxes total 15. Then split 15 into 3 equal parts, so x = 5. Check: 3 × 5 + 4 = 19.

How do you use a tape diagram for division?

Draw a bar for the total and cut it into equal sections. If $36 is shared equally by 4 friends, draw a bar labeled 36 split into 4 sections, each labeled x. The equation is 4x = 36, so each section is 36 ÷ 4 = 9 dollars. If you know the size of each part instead, count how many sections fit in the bar.

How do you teach tape diagrams?

Start with a short story and a strip of paper. “Jada has 20 marbles; 6 are blue and the rest are red.” Have students cut or draw the strip, label the 20, the 6 and a question mark, then write 6 + r = 20. After several stories, students begin to draw the bar on their own, which builds the habit of planning before writing an equation.

Related Topics

• Using Algebra Tiles to Model and Solve Equations
• How to Solve Word Problems Involving the One Step Equation
• Using a Table to Write Down a Two Variable Equation
• Identifying Expressions and Equations
• Graphing Single Variable Inequalities