Share Paper: Using Technology to Determine Factorability or Non-factorability of Quadratic Algebraic Trinomials

  1. John Bernard, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, United States
  2. Olga Ramirez, University of Texas - Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX, United States
  3. Cristina Villalobos, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, United States
Tuesday, March 7 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Capitol Ballroom D & E

Abstract: This paper is aimed for mathematics educators who teach algebra, more specifically, the factoring of quadratic algebraic expressions, and who want to enhance student learning of this topic using technology in conjunction with the Middle Term Splitting Method (Donnell, 2010; MTSM 2016a; MTSM 2016b). We will use technology-based algebra and geometry connections to help determine factorability or non-factorability of quadratic algebraic trinomials over the integers, over the real numbers, and over the complex numbers, both with clarity, certainty and with understanding by using two equations, one derived from the coefficients of the outer terms and the other from the middle ...