Math

Toolbox

Rose Carollo
Period 7
*Demonstrations for each tool are on the back of each page


Area Model

What:
Area model is a set of squares which holds
numbers or values and is used to multiply the terms
inside of the squares. Area model helps expand
equations and is used to factorize.

1.
2.

3.
4.

How to use it:

Place the terms outside, make sure that there is a
row or column for each term.
Multiply each term and put it in the correct box.
(They are put in the boxes just like a multiplication
chart.)
Put all of the answers into an answer. (Positive
numbers are plus and negative numbers are minus.)
Combine the like terms to get your final answer.

Why we use it:

Area model is used for when a
binomial is present.


F.O.I.L

What:
F.O.I.L is an acronym used to help remember
the order and pairs of values that need to be multiplied.
F
- First terms
O
- Outside terms
I
- Inside terms
L
- Last terms
How we use it:
1. Follow the order of F.O.I.L to multiply each term in
the equation.
2. If you can, combine all of the like terms for your
finished answer.
Why we use it:
F.O.I.L is also used for when a
binomial is present.


Special Binomials

Positive Square Binomial

Negative Square Binomial
Difference Of Squares
2 2
2
What:
[Positive] (a+b)
=
a
+ 2ab+ b
2 2
2
[Negative] (a-b)
=
a
- 2ab+ b

Shortcut for Perfect Square Binomials:

1. Square the first term
2. Multiple both of the middle terms
3. Double that answer
4. Square the last term

2
What:
[Difference] (a+b) (a-b)
=
a2

- b
Shortcut for difference of squares:
1. Square the first term
2. Insert a subtraction sign
3. Square the last term


Reverse Area Model

What:
An amount of squares that hold values that
started out inside of the squares and will be factored
back to the first and original problem.
How to find out the area model when given an
expression:
Find out if there is a GCF for all of the values
in the expression. If there is one, use the area model to
find the GCF. If there is not a GCF then you have to put
2
the x
term in the top left and put the constant term in the
bottom right. Lastly, use an x-puzzle to find the terms
that go in the last two squares.
How to use reverse area model for factoring:
Find the
GCF for each column or row. Figure out what term needs
to be multiplied with the GCF to find the value in each
box. Write your final answer as the product of the GCF.
Why:
It is a faster way to find the GCF and what values
have to multiply with it to get the terms in the area model.

 X-Puzzles

How do you set up an X-Puzzle when given an

expression:
The top portion of the X-Puzzle is the
constant term in the expression. But, if there is a
2
coefficient in front of the x
then multiply that coefficient
with the constant term. The lower portion is the middle
term.
How do you solve an X-Puzzle:
The top portion of the
X-Puzzle is the two side terms multiplied. The bottom
portion is the two side terms added.
Why do we use X-Puzzles:
We use X-Puzzles to break up
the middle term in an expression.