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reSolve: Algebra – sums and differences of squares

This sequence of three lessons explores sums and differences of two squares. Students are introduced to the historical context of using lookup tables for multiplications and challenged to investigate and generalise the underlying process using algebraic means. In subsequent lessons students use visual and algebraic methods that rely on the sums and differences of squares to determine factors and primality and use spreadsheets or coding to trial these methods. Each lesson is outlined in detail including curriculum links, materials needed, discussion points and student resources such as spreadsheets. This sequence is part of the reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry program.

Additional details
Year level(s)	Year 9
Audience	Teacher
Purpose	Teaching resource
Format	Downloadable resources
Teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches	Mathematics investigation
Keywords	binomials, difference of squares, distributivity
Curriculum alignment
Strand and focus	Algebra, Build understanding, Apply understanding
Topics	Multiples, factors and powers, Algebraic expressions
AC: Mathematics (V9.0) content descriptions	AC9M9A02 Simplify algebraic expressions, expand binomial products and factorise monic quadratic expressions
Numeracy progression	Number patterns and algebraic thinking (P9)
Copyright details
Organisation	reSolve Maths by Inquiry
Copyright	© Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.