Completing the Square with Algebra Tiles

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Exploration

GR. 9-12

Skill:

Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.

Completing the Square with Algebra Tiles

Explore the strategy of completing the square using algebra tiles as a visual model.

Putting It All Together

Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections.

Open-ended question 1

Describe the process of completing the square.

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Open-ended question 2

Explain how the phrase “complete the square” can be used to describe multiple aspects of this process.

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Open-ended question 3

If we would like to add 1s to complete the square, we need to also add the same number of negative 1s. Explain why this is the case.

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Open-ended question 4

If the and terms are positive, can we complete the square with only negative constants?

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