Completing the Square: Choose Your Own Expression


Exploration

GR. 9-12

Skill:

Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.

Completing the Square: Choose Your Own Expression

Choose your own expression and observe the process of completing the square with algebra tiles as a visual model.

Putting It All Together

Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections.

Question ouverte 1

Describe the process of completing the square.

Entrée de texte et de données mathématiques

Question ouverte 2

Explain how the phrase “complete the square” can be used to describe multiple aspects of this process.

Entrée de texte et de données mathématiques

Question ouverte 3

If we would like to add 1s to complete the square, we need to also add the same number of negative 1s. Explain why this is the case.

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Question ouverte 4

Notice how the slider to change the coefficient for the term only allows even integers. What would happen to the figure if the slider allowed for term like ? What would happen to the algebraic expressions?

Entrée de texte et de données mathématiques

Question ouverte 5

Complete the square for and using the algebra tiles. What do you notice about the result? What do you notice about the coefficients of the original expressions?

Entrée de texte et de données mathématiques