How Do You Teach Polynomial Factoring?

3/12/2017

Recently, I was in a collaboration meeting with a few math teachers who were about to teach polynomial factoring, only to find out that we each had our own way of teaching it to students and doing it on our own. So, like I usually do, I took to my favorite staff lounge to ask how others go at it. Rather than replying to each, I wanted to put the entire thread here and open it up:

How would you teach students to factor this polynomial?

How would/do you teach students to factor this polynomial?#mtbos #mathchat pic.twitter.com/hNQ8RucNYr
— John Stevens (@Jstevens009) March 2, 2017

This is what people said in the mad rush to help. I love this #mtbos community.

So how about you? Drop your reply in the comments and/or let me know on Twitter.

Happy "Friendly Factoring" Fishing

1 Comment

Clara link

1/7/2018 02:40:41 pm

I start with multiplying binomials, then go from distributive to area model, using Alg tiles. There are three distinct sign (+, -) patterns in the resulting tri and binomial quadratic answers. We focus on those patterns, then have the students make predictions about the factors of quadratic equations based on the signs. They are ready to factor the constant and determine which factors and signs sum to the second (x) coefficient.
This is the Activity I actually use to start the factoring lesson, once we’ve done the other stuff: it is driven by tables, graphs, and roots, NOT equations at all. I start with a quadratic and one of its linear factors, and ask the students to find the missing linear factor. The students are given a table for the linear function (not the function itself) and a graph of the quadratic. It’s a rich task that opens up a lot of discussion, and gives context to what might otherwise be a boring factoring exercise.

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How Do You Teach Polynomial Factoring?

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