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Factoring
Large Numbers
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Grade
Level: 7
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OVERVIEW:
Know the basic rules for divisibility i.e.: 2's are even, 3's are odd
digits etc.
ACTIVITIES:
Have students choose a large even number, say 642, how could
you tell what numbers that are all prime would go into this number? Let
the students discover how many times they can divide out a group of small
numbers. Then introduce the tree of organization to the process.
Factoring
large numbers: The process of factoring could be done by using
the "Tree diagram" as follows:
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642
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321
- - - 2 Two is prime, circle it.
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107
- - - 3 Both are prime, circle them.
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This
process can be used for many different things in basic math skills including,
fractions, common denominators, and decimals but division skills can only
be improved by doing basic practice.
ADDITIONAL
ACTIVITIES: Factor method for large fraction reduction. The
factor method for large fraction reduction could also be done using a
similar process:
884/1224
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884 - - - 2 - - - 2 - - - 13 |
- - - 442 - - - 221- - - 17
1224 - - - 2 - - - 2 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 3
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- - - 612 - - - 306 - - - 153 - - - 51 - - -17
884/1224 = (2 x 2 x 13 x 17) / (2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 17)
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= 13 / 18
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SUGGESTIONS/MODIFICATIONS |
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Students should understand the importance of factoring and the ways
in which it will help them with their math skills overall.
- Students
may need to work in groups in order to create the factor trees.
- Students
can be asked to add artistic creations to the math trees to stimulate
interest and incorporate artistic expressions.
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AUTHOR:
Tim Olson, Meadow Valley Middle School Panaca, Nevada |
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