(7) Inquiry Lab - Factor Linear Expressions

1. HOW do models help
you factor linear
expressions?
Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Expressions and Equations

2. • 7.EE.1
Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract,
factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.
Mathematical Practices
1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8 Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for
Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.
Expressions and Equations

3. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Activity 1
Continued

Expressions and Equations
Max has enough 1 inch square glass tiles to
create a rectangular piece of mosaic art that has
an area of 24 square inches. Some of the
possible dimensions of the rectangle are listed in
the table. Write the two missing possible
dimensions.
Model the expression 2x + 6
Use algebra tiles to factor 2x + 6

4. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Expressions and Equations
Max has enough 1 inch square glass tiles
to create a rectangular piece of mosaic art
that has an area of 24 square inches.
Some of the possible dimensions of the
rectangle are listed in the table. Write the
two missing possible dimensions.
Use algebra tiles to factor 2x + 6
Arrange the tiles into a rectangle with equal
rows and columns. The total area of the tiles
represents the product. Its length and width
represent the factors.
The rectangle has a width of two 1-tiles and a
length of one x-tile and three 1-tiles
So, 2x + 6 = 2(x + )

5. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Activity 2
Continued

Expressions and Equations
Use algebra tiles to factor 2x – 8
Model the expression 2x – 8

6. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Expressions and Equations
Use algebra tiles to factor 2x – 8
Arrange the tiles into a rectangle with equal rows and columns.
The rectangle has a width of two 1-tiles and a length of one
x-tile and four 1-tiles.
So, 2x – 8 = ___________________.

7. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Activity 3
Continued

Expressions and Equations
Use algebra tiles to factor 3x – 6
Draw the tiles that represent the
expression 3x – 6

8. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
Expressions and Equations
Use algebra tiles to factor 3x – 6
Redraw the tiles onto a rectangle with equal rows and columns.
The rectangle has a width of __________
1-tiles and a length of one x-tile and
___________ –1-tiles.
So, 3x – 6 = __________________.

9. Course 2, Inquiry Lab before Lesson 5-8
HOW do models help
you factor linear
expressions?
Expressions and Equations