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.