BLOCK MODEL APPROACH IN SOLVING PROBLEMS

Prepared by:

LETICIA L. LAYUG ERL DELA VEGA

Sitero Francisco Memorial National High School Mapulang Lupa National High School

BUILDING MATH CONCEPTS USING VISUAL MODELS

Algebraic Expressions

Below are pictures of blocks that model the terms in Algebraic Expressions.

Constant 1

5x

5y

xy

x2

y2

2xy

2x2

2y2

Example

Draw a picture of the blocks to show y2 + 2xy+ 5x + 2y + 3

y2

2xy

5x +5x +2y

2y +3

y2 + 2xy

BUILDING MATH CONCEPTS USING VISUAL MODELS

Evaluation of Algebraic Expressions

If x=5 If y=2 If x2=3

If y2=2 What is the value of y + 3 if y = 5?

= 8

Example

=
2x + 9 2x + 9= 13

2x + 9 = 13 1. x = 2, the blocks shows ___________. 2x + 9 = 11 2. x = 1, the blocks shows ___________ 2x + 9 = 9 3. x = 0, the blocks show ____________

ADDING INTEGERS

Expression : 8 + (- 4 )
Negative Area

-4

8
Simplest way

84=4

ADDING INTEGERS

To show 5 - 9, show 4 differently by adding zero

Negative Area Negative Area

Negative Area

-9=

-4

ADDITION OF POLYNOMIAL

The blocks show (2x2 4x + 2) + (6x 5). To find the sum, cancel blocks.
Negative Area

2x2 + 2x -3

-3

2x2

2x

Subtraction of Polynomials

Subtract : (4y - 2) - (6y 5). (4y - 2) - (6y 5)

Negative Area

(4y - 2) + (-6y + 5)

= -2y + 3

- 2y

Multiplication of Polynomials Using 2 pieces of x2 and 10 pieces of x, arrange the blocks into a rectangle.

2x2 + 8x

Multiplication of Polynomials

(x + 4)
x x 1 1 1 1

Area :2x2 + 8
Length: x+4 Width: 2x

2x

Arrange the blocks into a rectangle. Sketch the rectangle and identify the area, length and width.

2x +1

Area : 2x2 + 3x + 1 Length: 2x +1 Width: x+1

x+1

Show how to use blocks to represents the product.

1. x (5x+3)

5 x2 + 3x

Multiplication of Polynomials
Using the blocks, x+3 is illustrated as: While, x-2 can be illustrated as:

Represent the product of 2x and x-3 using the blocks.

Answer: 2x(x-3) = 2x2 -6x

Show how to use algebra blocks to represent the product

Given:(x-1) (x+2)

Answer: x2 +x -2

Division of Polynomials
Use the corner piece and tiles to solve division problems.

Quotient

Denominator

numerator The blocks shows 15 or 15 divided be 5 5

Therefore, 15 = 3 5

Consider the following algebra blocks

X + 3

These blocks shows x2 +3x

The rectangle formed gives the other side length which is x+3. Hence, the complete division equation is x2 + 3 = x + 3 x

Given: 2x2 + 7x +4 2x + 1

X+3
denominator

Remainder 1

remainder

numerator

Answer: 2x2 + 7x +4 = x + 3 remainder 1 2x + 1