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Factoring Polynomials

Sample Lesson Plan

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104 views9 pages

Factoring Polynomials

Sample Lesson Plan

Uploaded by

theoneandonlymattsmith.561
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Factoring Polynomials – A sample lesson plan

Time: 45 - 60 minutes Grade: 8 By: Matthew Smith


Brief Description
This lesson would be among the first of several lessons given on how to factor polynomials, and specifically, the
strategy of factoring out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF), or the largest monomial factor. It is assumed that before
this lesson, students will understand the definitions of terms and polynomials (including names and degrees, and what
polynomials can have and not have), as well as how to add, subtract and multiply polynomials (e.g., exponents, using
the distributive property, etc.).
Lesson Objectives Key Vocabulary
 The Student Will identify the GCF of polynomials. Factorization of a Polynomial
 TSW use 3 different methods to factor GCFs out of Complete Factorization
polynomials. GCF of Polynomials
Materials
Dry erase boards and marker pens
Lesson Plan
Hook (3-5 minutes): Find at least six different ways to factor 12.

Presentation (15 min):


 The teacher will put students into groups. Each group will be responsible for learning a particular method for
factoring out the GFC when factoring polynomials. (Each group of students will receive one of the handouts
below.)
 During this time, the teacher will walk around the room to assess student comprehension and to guide
student-preparation for peer-to-peer instruction.

Practice (20-25 min):


 Students will then be reassigned different groups: one from each GCF method. Each student in the group will
then be responsible for teaching their GCF method to the group.

Production (15 - 20 min):


 Students will then be given a few problems. Students will have to apply each method to each problem.
Trial and Error Boxes
Key Reminder: Sometimes it helps to do math using a graphic organizer. This graphic organizer functions just
like multiplication table.

Step 1. Put the first term in the upper left-hand corner of the big box, and the last term in the lower right-hand
corner.

Step 2: Factored the first and last terms in the given “factors” boxes. Fill the graphic organizer (multiplication
table) appropriately for the first term in the upper-left hand corner.

Step 3: Determined which factors of the last term would add up to the middle term and fill in the graphic
organizer (or multiplication table) appropriately.

x² + 6x + 8

Check your answer!


Trial and Error Box Method

Factor the following trinomials using the Trial and Error Box Method.

x² + 14x + 48 4x² + 20x + 24 6x² + 65x + 50


The Factor Ladder Method (aka the “Korean Method” for finding GFCs and LCMs)

Consider the following trinomial: 24x4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

Step 1: Draw an “L shape line” under the expression, like this: 24x4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

Step 2: Decide which number divides evenly into all 3 coefficients and write this number
outside the “L shape line”. Let’s start with 2.

2 24x 4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

Step 3: Factor out the 2 from each coefficient and write the result below the “L shape
line”.

2 24x 4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

12x 4y – 18x2y + 34x3y3

Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 until the trinomial below the line cannot be factored any further.

2 24x 4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

2 12x 4y – 18x2y + 34x3y3

6x 4y – 9x2y + 17x3y3

Step 5: Repeat steps 1-3 for the xs and ys in each term. (Factor out the answer to the
question: how many xs/ys do all terms have in common?)

2 24x 4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3

2 12x 4y – 18x2y + 34x3y3

x 2 6x4y – 9x2y + 17x3y3

y 6x 2y – 9y + 17xy3

6x 2 – 9 + 17xy2

Step 6: Write your final answer: multiply all the factors in front of the “L shape line” and
write the resultant in parentheses.

4x 2y (6x2 – 9 + 17xy2)
The Factor Ladder Method

Use Factor Ladders to factor the following polynomials

24x4y – 36x2y + 68x3y3 12a5b2 – 36a4b3 – 6a2b3 16xy2 + 28x + 8y


The Prime Factor Method

Consider the following binomial: 2x4 – 16x3

Step 1: Write each term in prime factored form.

(2 · x · x · x · x ) – (2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · x · x · x)

Step 2: Identify the factors common in all terms.


(2 · x · x · x · x ) – (2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · x · x · x)

Step 3: Factor out the GCF and leave what remains.


2x3 (x – 8)

Practice
10x2 + 25x + 15 8x4 – 4x3 + 10x2 4x2y3 + 20xy + 12xy

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3
Homework (Page 1)

Trial and Error Box Method:


Why is it called the Trial and Error Method?

Pros and Cons of this method?

What do you like and not like about this method?

Factor Ladder Method:


What are the Pros and Cons of this method?

What would make this method more efficient to use?

The Prime Factor Method:


What are some Pros and Cons of using this method?

What may make this method challenging for someone to use?


Homework Page 2

FACTORING PUZZLE
Use the digits 0-9 to fill in the squares. Each digit can be used only once.

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