Dice, Dice Baby!

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Students will work in pairs and roll various colored dice in order to create polynomial expressions for addition and/or subtraction.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Content Standards

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 09-12 - Algebra I with Probability

MA19.A1.7
Add, subtract, and multiply polynomials, showing that polynomials form a system analogous to the integers, namely, they are closed under the operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

Polynomials
Closure
Analogous system

Knowledge

Students know:

Corresponding rules of arithmetic of integers, specifically what it means for the integers to be closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication, and not under division.
Procedures for performing addition, subtraction, and multiplication on polynomials.

Skills

Students are able to:

Communicate the connection between the rules for arithmetic on integers and the corresponding rules for arithmetic on polynomials.
Accurately perform combinations of operations on various polynomials.

Understanding

Students understand that:

There is an operational connection between the arithmetic on integers and the arithmetic on polynomials.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Phase

During/Explore/Explain

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

I can add polynomial expressions.

I can subtract polynomial expressions.

Activity Details

Activity Details

The student will be able to add and subtract polynomials by incorporating the activity Dice, Dice Baby! After introducing the concept of adding and subtracting polynomials, this activity can be used for the collaborative practice of the concept. In pairs, students will take turns rolling a set of dice that will determine positive (green dice) or negative (red) coefficients, as well as exponents that will determine the degree of the monomials based on the face value of each die. Operation dice will also be used to determine whether or not the polynomial expressions will be added or subtracted. Once the expressions are determined, students will then perform the specified operation and form a new polynomial expression that is either the sum or the difference of the two expressions generated from the dice. The teacher will allow pairs to work on creating polynomial expressions and then solving them for about 30 minutes. At the end of this time, pairs will switch papers with another pair of students and perform error analysis.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Students will work in pairs and collaborate/peer edit as they create and add and subtract polynomials.

The teacher will monitor student work as pairs are working to watch for misconceptions.

Acceleration and Intervention

Variation Tips

Three colors of dice could be used to represent coefficients with the third color.

Operations could be limited to just addition or subtraction until an understanding of like terms is fully developed.

The activity could be adapted to include multiplication and division of polynomials.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

You will need two different colors of dice, as well as. dice with the operations of addition/subtraction on them (or positive/negative). I use plastic cups for the kids to roll the dice in.

You can print out copies of the recording sheet or display recording sheet on a projector and have students create their own on loose leaf paper.

Author

Owner (Author)

auburntailgater

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