Four-Sock Drawers

These puzzles use four colors of socks in a drawer to get learners thinking algebraically. The introduction suggests that actual socks should add fun to the activity, and colored markers can help when there aren't enough socks. The introduction suggests strategies such as making a list, using guess and check, and trying the formal algebraic method. The problems become more challenging as you work from Drawer 1 through 9. Also included are Algebra Notes that explain one approach to figuring out Drawer 2. An extension is to make up new puzzles.