Practice:Four-in-a-Row

4 IN A ROW ALGEBRA

a a b b ab c c

add subtract multiply divide

INSTRUCTIONS

Play this game in pairs. The winner is the person who gets 4 of their counters in a row, horizontally, vertically or on the diagonal.

The first person places a transparent counter on 2 of the algebraic expressions in the rectangle under the table. They choose one of the operations and cover the resulting expression in the table.

The second person can move only one of the transparent counters and choose an operation to make another expression in the table, which they then cover with one of their counters.

Both counters can be placed on the same expression in the rectangle.

Play the game 3 times and then complete the task below

Using the expressions in the rectangle and one of the operations (add, subtract, multiply and divide) list two different ways you could get:


 * 1) a 2. [[Image:]] 3. [[Image:]] 4. b 5. ab[[Image:]]

TEACHER‚ÄôS NOTES

Use the OHP to demonstrate the game.

Then hand out a game card and one pack of counters to each pair.

Draw student‚Äôs attention to the task to be completed after the game.

Answers:

1. aa and abb

2. ab and abb

3. ba and aba

4. aba and bb

5. ab x b and a x b

After the game

Brainstorm all the different ways you can get 3a - 2a +a, a+a+a, 4a-a, 5a-2a, 3xa, 6a2, aa and so on. Encourage students to use all 4 operations.

This activity can then be used as a starter activity for several lessons. Choose a simple expression like 5y and challenge students to write as many expressions as possible that will simplify to it. Emphasise the importance of using all 4 operations.