Mrs. Boyer’s 7th Grade Weblog

Instructions for factoring a quadratic equation in the form ax2+bx+c=0:

1.    First look at the factors of the constant value, c.
2.    Factor the first term, ax2.   This is very easy when a = 1 since the only option is x * x.
3.    Determine which combination of factors have a sum/difference equal to the coefficient of the middle term, b.
4.    Write the factors as the product of two binomials: (x + f1)(x+f2).

Questions:

* Did paraphrasing the words help you internalize the concepts more? I think it’s very difficult to put something like this in your own words and generalize it.  It is much easier to describe the steps as you do some example problems.  It’s easier to describe how to factor a basic quadratic equation with a = 1 and plus signs, but when you combine a variety of a values with some minus signs, now it is much more difficult to describe.  I don’t actually feel that paraphrasing this concept in words help me to internalize it.

* How can you apply this type of exercise in a lesson for your own students? Although I didn’t feel paraphrasing this concept was very helpful for me, it is an exercise I do with my students often.  I usually would have students paraphrase a new skill or concept as their closure or bell-ringer.