Math

Toolbox
Bernadette Rozzi

What is in your beach bag?

Section 1

Expanding
Tools

Area Model:
What: An Area Model are squares that hold terms when they are
being multiplied. fourth

How: Take the terms and place them outside the Area Model with a
row and column for each term. Next multiply the terms on the
outside of the Area Model and place the terms in the correct box.
last combine your like terms and write out the final answer.

Why:The reason we use an area model is to keep track of all your

numbers.

Expand:It helps us expand the problem so none of the steps in the

solution are missed

F.O.I.L.:
What: F.O.I.L. stands for F-first O-outside I-inside L-last

How:Follow F.O.I.L to multiply each of your terms.Next combine all the

like terms and right out your final answer.

Why:We use F.O.I.L for a shortcut or a faster way to multiply.

Expand:This tool helps us expand the problem by getting to the

solution faster.

3 Types
1.
2.
3.

Special Binomials:

2
2
2
(a+b)
- Positive square binomial a
-2ab+b
2
2
2
(a-b)
- Negative square binomial a
+2ab+b
2 2
(a+b)(a-b)- Difference of squares a
-b

Shortcuts
1.

2.
3.

Square the first term multiply both terms than double than
square the last term.
Square the first term multiply both terms than double than
square the last term.
Square the first term place a subtraction sign then square
the last term.

What makes these tools?

1.

2.
3.

2
When you see a problem like (a+b)
you know there will by
addition signs all the way across.
2
When you have this pattern (a-b)
you will always have the
following pattern when you multiply it out.
When there is a problem like (a+b)(a-b) you will always know it
2
2
will be something
-something

Section 2

Factoring
Tools

Reverse Area Model:

What: A reverse area model is squares that have values that are
factored backward to find the original problem. Also they are the
opposite of an area model by finding the outside numbers when given
the inside numbers.

How: Try to find a GCF in all of the terms in the problem.If there
is a GCF use an area model to factor them. If there is no GCF
2
place the x
term in the top left of the area model then place the
constant term in the lower right part of the area model. Last use
an X puzzle to find what goes in the other squares.

Why:We use the reverse area model to go backward from an area

model.

GCF:Greatest Common Factor-the highest number that divides exactly

into two or more numbers.

X puzzles:
What: The purpose of an X puzzle is to split the middle term.
How:
Set Up: Put the last term in the top portion of the X puzzle.
Put the middle term without the variable in the bottom of the X
puzzle.
Solve: Take the top portion of the X puzzle and figure out what
times what equals that. Those numbers should when added equal the
lower portion of the X puzzle. Put those numbers in the sides of
the X puzzle.
Extra: After finding the side terms in the X puzzle take the
2
tems and put them into an area model.
The x
term
goes into the
top left and the last term goes into the lower right and the side
terms from the X puzzle go into the remaining squares.
Why: We use an X puzzle is to split up the middle term and
another tool for factoring.
With Coefficient:
Modification: Multiply the first and the last term together.
Take that number and put it into the upper portion of the X
puzzle and then take the last term and put it in the lower portion
of the X puzzle and then figure out what times what equals the

top and what plus what equals the bottom number.Next do the steps
2
from the extra section starting at
the x
term
.