Solving Quadratic Equations – Comparing and Contrasting Methods April 21, 2015

After looking at your practice quizzes, here are the biggest misconceptions that I noticed:

There are 5 methods that you have learned for solving quadratic equations: Factoring Completing the Square Graphing Taking the Square Root The Quadratic Formula

Factoring a = 1 Factor normally or use British Method

Solving Quadratic Equations: Factoring

Completing the Square a = 1 Complete the Square using normal process

Solving Quadratic Equations: Completing the Square

Solving Quadratic Equations: Graphing

Solving Quadratic Equations: The Quadratic Formula

Solving Quadratic Equations: Taking the Square Root

It’s often going to be up to you to solve to choose a method for solving quadratic equations, especially on a college admissions test. What’s your plan if you try one method and it doesn’t work? How can you know for sure how many solutions a quadratic equation has? What, in your opinion, is the best method for solving quadratic equations?

Explain the difference between a quadratic equation, quadratic function, and the quadratic formula.

Up next this week and next week: Today: Factoring by Completing the Square (cont’d) and Deriving the Quadratic Formula Tomorrow: Factoring by Guess-and-Check and Review Difference of Squares/Perfect Square Trinomials Thursday: Factoring Word Problems Friday: Factoring by Grouping and Distributive Property and More Word Problems Monday: Rotated Out Tuesday: Review Day Wednesday: Unit Test – Factoring, Solving Quadratic Equations, and Polynomials

Team Challenge: Complete the Square on the General Case For this group challenge, you and your team will attempt to complete the square on the general case of a quadratic equation The specifics: The first 4 minutes are independent work time so that you can gather ideas, brainstorm a strategy, and prepare to work with your group. You will then have 7 minutes to complete the square with your group The Prize: Any group demonstrating their complete process and correctly completing the square will earn a homework pass for tonight, Wednesday, April 23 rd

Factoring by (Grouping) April 22, 2015

This topic should be familiar – you have already factored by grouping with the British Method!

Sum and Difference of Cubes Patterns Two other special factoring patterns!

Helpful memory trick:

Small-Group Work: Please complete today’s worksheet with your group.