Algebra I
Activity:
The Box Method
Posted on Feb 25, 2010
Topic: Quadratic Functions
Students discover how to factor a quadratic function using the Box Method.
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Activity Key Steps:
The document begins with a quadratic expression with a = 12, b = –13, and c = –4. Each successive page will instruct students how to create a "box" with organized terms that will lead to the factors of the polynomial.
A spreadsheet helps the student to find a pair of factors that add to the linear term. Even negative and positive numbers may be tested to find the correct pair. In this case, 3 and –16 works, while no other pair has a sum of –13x.
The values are stored so that the next few steps can be completed by the student.
When the box is complete, the binomial pairs are found on the outside of the box, and should be checked by expanding.