Algebra I: Factoring Trinomials Part 2

Objectives

• Factor trinomials of the form x² + bx + c where the linear term, b, has a negative integer coefficient and the constant term, c, is a positive integer
• Use an area model to factor trinomials of this form
• Generalize the process for factoring trinomials of this form

Vocabulary

• factor trinomials

About the Lesson

This lesson involves factoring trinomials using a dynamic area model. As such, it is implicit that x is a positive quantity, and therefore –x is a negative number and is represented by a darker tile. As a result students will factor trinomials of the form x² + bx +c by recognizing that the factors of c must add up to b when the trinomial is factored. In the process, students may encounter the notion of subtraction as "adding the opposite."