Building Algebra Tile Models for Trinomials
Build algebra tile arrangements for quadratic trinomials and connect their side lengths to the factored form.
Quesito 1
Putting It All Together
Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections.
Quesito 2
Try an example with negative x tiles. By convention, all coefficients of x-terms in the factors are positive. Observe how the model is related to the factors. Explain why the signs on the constant terms in the factors are negative. What would change if the convention were that coefficients of x-terms in the factors were negative? Why?
Quesito 3
Arrange the blocks into a rectangle. How does the model represent the factors? Is there more than one model that could be used to show the same factorization?
Quesito 4
How do the algebra tile models relate to the box method of factoring polynomials?