EngageNY
A Focus on Square Roots
Pupils learn to solve square root equations and rationalize denominators. Problems include those with extraneous solutions.
EngageNY
Solving Rational Equations
What do fractions and rational expressions have in common? Everything! Learners use common denominators to solve rational equations. Problems advance from simple to more complex, allowing pupils to fully understand the material before...
EngageNY
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
There's a fine line between a numerator and a denominator! Learners find common denominators in order to add and subtract rational expressions. Examples include addition, subtraction, and complex fractions.
EngageNY
Overcoming a Second Obstacle in Factoring—What If There Is a Remainder?
Looking for an alternative approach to long division? Show your classes how to use factoring in place of long division. Increase their fluency with factoring at the same time!
EngageNY
Mastering Factoring
Math class is full of drama—there are so many problems to work out! Pupils work out factoring problems. They use quadratic methods of factoring higher degree polynomials, in addition to factoring the sum and difference of two...
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Overcoming Obstacles in Factoring
What do you do when factoring doesn't work? Learners complete the square when faced with quadratic expression that don't factor traditionally. They then use factoring by grouping to solve polynomial equations.
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The Power of Algebra—Finding Pythagorean Triples
The Pythagorean Theorem makes an appearance yet again in this lesson on polynomial identities. Learners prove a method for finding Pythagorean triples by applying the difference of squares identity.
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The Power of Algebra—Finding Primes
Banks are responsible for keeping our financial information safe. Mathematics is what allows them to do just that! Pupils learn the math behind the cryptography that banks rely on. Using polynomial identities, learners reproduce the...
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Dividing by (x – a) and (x + a)
Patterns in math emerge from seemingly random places. Learners explore the patterns for factoring the sum and differences of perfect roots. Analyzing these patterns helps young mathematicians develop the polynomial identities.
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Putting It All Together
Shuffle 'em up and deal! Learners practice operations with polynomials using cards they pass around the room. The activity works with pairs or individuals, so it offers great flexibility. This is the fifth installment in a series of 42...
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The Division of Polynomials
Build a true understanding of division of polynomials. Learners use their knowledge of multiplying polynomials to create an algorithm to divide polynomials. The area model of multiplication becomes the reverse tabular method of division.
EngageNY
The Multiplication of Polynomials
If you can multiply multi-digit integers, you can multiply polynomials. Learners use an area model to compare multiplying numbers to multiplying polynomials. They progress to using the distributive property.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Linear Equations in Two Variables
Solving problems about pen and paper with systems of equations ... or is it the other way around? In the lesson plan, learners first interpret expressions and use equations in two variables to solve problems about notebooks and pens....
Mathematics Assessment Project
Suzi's Company
Don't use an average resource ... use this one. As a middle school assessment task, learners first determine mean, median, and mode of salaries given in a frequency table. They then investigate how a change in one value changes the...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Photographs
Picture your pupils using this assessment task. Class members must first determine the measurements of smaller copies of photographs placed next to the original. They then determine the dimensions of the entire sheet of photographs.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Memory Game
Middle schoolers must determine probabilities for a memory game in which winning requires matching two of the same cards. They then must determine what happens when more cards are added to the pile.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Meal Out
Middle schoolers identify an equation in one variable that models a restaurant order. They then solve the equation to determine the number of people who had each type of meal.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Card Game
Middle schoolers use 10 cards to determine whether the probability that the next card chosen is higher or lower than the previous.
EngageNY
Ferris Wheels—Tracking the Height of a Passenger Car
Watch your pupils go round and round as they explore periodic behavior. Learners graph the height of a Ferris wheel over time. They repeat the process with Ferris wheels of different diameters.
EngageNY
A Surprising Boost from Geometry
Working with imaginary numbers — this is where it gets complex! After exploring the graph of complex numbers, learners simplify them using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
EngageNY
Are All Parabolas Congruent?
Augment a unit on parabolas with an instructive math activity. Pupils graph parabolas by examining the relationship between the focus and directrix.
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Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
Five out of four people have trouble with fractions! After comparing simplifying fractions to simplifying rational expressions, pupils use the same principles to multiply and divide rational expressions.
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Equivalent Rational Expressions
Rational expressions are just fancy fractions! Pupils apply fractions concepts to rational expressions. They find equivalent expressions by simplifying rational expressions using factoring. They include limits to the domain of the...
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Modeling Riverbeds with Polynomials (part 1)
Many things in life take the shape of a polynomial curve. Learners design a polynomial function to model a riverbed. Using different strategies, they find the flow rate through the river.