Sukkot: Decreasing consecutive integers on the sixth day

 It's common in traditional Algebra I classes to ask students to sum consecutive integers. In 2015, I wrote about how I've used this with younger students on Chanukah.

I've always wanted to use a Sukkot application of this problem, since the Parot He'Chag (bulls of the mussaf offering) are offered as decreasing consecutive integers.

Last year, I did so as a bonus question on my word problems test (in November; this unit's never coincided with Sukkot itself.)

You'll notice that I gave them the sum of the consecutive integers and asked them to find a particular day's number.

First, the students defined their variables and wrote an equation:

Then, they combine like terms and solve for the variable. Note that they solve for the number of bulls offered on the first day.

The final answer, which must be written as a sentence, requires the students to take x=13 and subtract 5 to find the number of bulls offered on the sixth day. 

Only a small number of students attempted this bonus question, but they did a great job. 

Happy sixth day of Sukkot, everyone!