Grades 8-12 
Mathematics 
Algebra II 
Standard 4
Students factor polynomials representing the
difference of squares, perfect squares,
trinomials, and the sum and difference
of two cubes.

 

Resources
Lesson Plans
Assessments
Algebra 2 
An Integrated Approach,  Larson/Kanold/Stiff, 1995,  
D.C. Heath and Company 

Section References 

5.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by Finding Square Roots 

5.2 Parabolas: Graphs of Quadratic Equations 

5.3 Completing the Square 

5.4 The Quadratic Formula 

5.5 Complex Numbers 

5.6 Solving Any Quadratic Equations 

6.1 Relations and Functions 

6.2 Function Operations 

6.3 Inverse Functions 

6.4 Special Functions 

7.1 Properties of Exponents 

7.3 nth Roots and Rational Exponents 

7.4 Properties of Roots and Real Numbers 

7.5 Solving Radical Equations 

7.6 Graphing Square Root and Cube Root Functions 

9.1 Operations with Polynomials 

9.2 Graphs of Polynomials Functions 

9.3 Factoring Polynomials and Solving 

9.4 Polynomial Division, Factors and Remainders 

9.5 Finding Rational Zeros 

9.6 Connections: Zeros, Factors, and Solutions 

9.7 Exploring Data: Measures of Dispersion 

11.1 Parabolas 

12.5 The Binomial Theorem 

Software 

Bradford Algebra Software: Exponents, Roots and Radicals 
floppy mac 

CA Exit Exam Web Site 

http:/www.chspe.com/ 
download.html 

Specific Textbook  
Web Sites 

http://www.glencoe.com/ 
sec/math/prealg/mathnet/ 

http://www.eduplace.com/ 
links/ 

http://www.eduplace.com/ 

http://www.hmco.com/ 
college/mathematics/ 
index.html 

http://www.mcdougallittell 
.com/ 

http://www.hmco.com/ 

http://www.SRA-4KIDS.com/ 

General Math  
Reference Sites 

http://www.learner.org/ 
sami/view-category.php3 
?category=math 

http://www.score.k12.ca.us/ 

http://henson.austin.apple 
.com/edres/curric.shtml 

http://school.discovery.com/ 
schrockguide/index.html 

http://www.EDsOasis.org/ 

http://www.math.com/ 

http://www.nea.org/grants/ 
free.html 

http://www.wcom.com/ 
marcopolo/ 

http://www.udel.edu/sine/ 

http://dewey.chs.chico.k12 
.ca.us/math.html 

Free Stuff 

http://www.nea.org/ 
grants/free.html 

State/National Math  
Ed Organizations 

http://www.nctm.org/ 

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ 

Calif. Dept. of Ed. Standards, Assessment, Ed. Reference.  

Calculator Reference Site 

http://www.ti.com/ 
calc/docs/calchome.html 

Previously Published Data 

1.) Assign students problems when they are familiar with the difference of two squares formula in expanding a factor. 

 

2.) Give students algebra tiles or graph paper where they can explore perfect square trinomials. The following are suggested  
(x +1)(x + 1), (2x + 1)(2x + 1), (3x -1)(3x - 1), and (2x - y)(2x - y). This should be similar to the first student task on Standard 3. 
3.) Have students work on trinomials where the first term has a coefficient of 1 and they have to figure out the factors. Trinomial Product Sum Factors x(x) + 6x + 5 5 6 (3,2) x(x) - 7x - 8 -8 -7 (-8,1) x(x) - x - 6 -6 -1 (-3, 2) x(x) - 9 -9 0 (3,-3) 
Previously Published Data 

1.) Have various problems where students factor either trinomials, difference of squares, sum and difference of cubes. 

2.) Have students factor x(x)(x) + 1. If needed, write as x(x)(x) + 1(1)(1). 
3.) Have students draw a cube of side x and shade a cube of side 1. They can actually use graph paper and make their cubes and determine what the remaining volume is if a cube of side 1 is cut out. This way, they know how to derive the formula. They may need/ want to explore this first with 3-D Algebra Lab Gear.