Group Activity for Factoring (Investigation)

Objectives

• To work together to factor expressions.
• To understand the different kinds of factorization.

Materials

• Paper
• Calculator
• Markers
• Scissors
• Opaque bag
• Printed out expressions and factors for your group 

Procedure

1. Form a group of either 11 or 21. If you have too many people make as many pairs as needed to make either 11 or 21 teams.
2. Print out the expressions and the factors list that corresponds to the size group you have.
3. Cut out the expressions and factors and separate the two.
4. First place the cut out expressions into the bag and take turns picking out an expression.
5. When there are no more expressions left in the bag refill the bag with the cut out factors. The remaining group members should each choose a factor from the bag.
6. Once you have chosen your factor or expression use your markers to write it largely on a piece of paper.
7. Wander around the room and determine who are the other factors associated with your expression and what the expression is.
8. Form a group with the expression and its factors.
9. If you are working with a group of 11 students you may want to try the game more than once. There is a secondary list that can be used for this size group for more practice right below the original list. Print this out and replay the game for more practice.

Questions

1. How many factors did the expression you were associated with have?
2. What kind of factoring was used to factor your expression? Select all that may apply.
   • Highest Common Factor
   • Difference of Two Squares
   • Perfect Squares
   • Grouping in Pairs
   • Monic Quadratic Trinomial
3. Compare with a friend! What did type of factoring was used on their group’s expression? Compare and contrast the type of factoring used on their expression to the type of factoring used on your expression. 
4. Was there another expression that had a factor in common with your groups expression?
5. If your answer was yes, add the two expressions together and then factor the result. What do you get?

Expressions and Factors

Group of 11

Expressions

Factors

Group of 11 Additional Practice

Expressions

Factors

 

Group of 21

Expressions

Factors