Math lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes
Factorise ax² + bx + c
Algebra
CCSS HSA.SSE.A.2England: GCSE Higher Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Factorise ax² + bx + c.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Factorise quadratics x² + bx + c
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Factorise quadratics x² + bx + c). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Factorise: x² + 14x + 48 ((x − 8)(x − 6) / (x + 8)(x − 6) / (x + 8)(x + 6) / (x + 14)(x + 1)) → (x + 8)(x + 6)Prompt: Find two numbers that multiply to 48 and add to 14.
- Factorise fully: x² + 3x − 18 → (x+6)(x-3)Prompt: Two numbers: product −18, sum 3.
- Factorise: x² − 6x − 7 ((x − 7)(x + 1) / (x − 1)(x + 7) / (x + 1)(x − 7) / (x + 1)(x + 7)) → (x + 1)(x − 7)Prompt: Find two numbers that multiply to −7 and add to −6.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Factorise ax² + bx + c. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Factorise: 5x² − 8x − 21
- Step 1: (5x + 7)(x − 3)
- Answer: (5x + 7)(x − 3)
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Factorise: 4x² − 15x − 4 ((4x − 1)(x + 4) / (4x − 4)(x + 1) / (4x + 1)(x − 4) / (x + 1)(4x − 4)) → (4x + 1)(x − 4)Prompt: Multiply a × c = −16. Find two numbers with that product and sum −15.
- Factorise: 5x² − 26x + 24 ((5x − 4)(x − 6) / (5x − 6)(x − 4) / (5x + 6)(x + 4) / (x − 6)(5x − 4)) → (5x − 6)(x − 4)Prompt: Multiply a × c = 120. Find two numbers with that product and sum −26.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Factorise: 3x² + 8x − 16 ((x − 4)(3x + 4) / (3x + 4)(x − 4) / (3x − 4)(x + 4)) → (3x − 4)(x + 4)Prompt: Multiply a × c = −48. Find two numbers with that product and sum 8.
- Factorise: 5x² − 11x + 6 ((5x − 6)(x − 1) / (5x − 1)(x − 6) / (5x + 6)(x + 1) / (x − 6)(5x − 1)) → (5x − 6)(x − 1)Prompt: Multiply a × c = 30. Find two numbers with that product and sum −11.
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Factorise quadratics x² + bx + c.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-10.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder