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.

Resource details

Year level

Year 9

Purpose

Teaching resource

Strand

Algebra

Topic

Multiples, factors and powers Algebraic expressions

Audience

Teachers

Format

Downloadable resource

Australian Curriculum code

AC9M9A02

Numeracy progression

Number patterns and algebraic thinking (P9)

Publisher

reSolve Maths by Inquiry

Copyright

© Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment 2021. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Keywords

distributive binomials