Both Ways
Distributing and factoring are the same rectangle read in opposite directions. Nobody tells students that, so they learn two unrelated procedures and forget both.
Watching one first is a strong way to start.
- 13(x + 4) =
- 25(x + 2) =
- 32(x + 7) =
- 44(x − 3) =
- 56(x + 5) =
- 66x + 15 =
- 74x + 10 =
- 812x + 8 =
- 99x − 6 =
- 1010x + 25 =
There is no right answer here. It only tells your teacher where to start next time.
You answered all ten.
The first five filled the boxes in. The last five read them back out. Same rectangle both times — which is why the two are not really two things to remember.
The stretch is a choice. Taking it — or leaving it for another day — are both strong moves.
For the teacher — this device only
One probe row, built from what happened on this screen. Nothing is sent anywhere — copy it into the Goal Builder yourself, or print this page. Independent means walked with no hints; supported means walked after a hint. Both are real evidence and neither is a grade.
- Date
- —
- Skill
- Distributive property and factoring
- Measure
- Trials (x of y)
- Independent
- 0 of 10
- Supported
- 0 of 10
- Hints used
- 0
- By direction
- —
- Confidence
- —
- Watched the demo
- —
- Stretch
- —
Items 1–5 distribute, 6–10 factor, and each direction has one item where the constant is negative — that is where the area model earns its keep. The row below counts the two directions separately. Set 2 and Set 3 are the same skills with different numbers.