BLOCK MODEL APPROACH IN

SOLVING PROBLEMS
Prepared by:

LETICIA L. LAYUG
ERL DELA VEGA
Sitero Francisco Memorial National High School
Mapulang Lupa National High School

Algebraic Expressions

BUILDING MATH CONCEPTS

USING VISUAL MODELS

Below are pictures of blocks that model the terms in Algebraic Expressions.

Constant 1

5x

5y

xy

x2

y2

2xy

2x2

2y2

Example

y2

2xy

y2 + 2xy

Draw a picture of the

blocks to show
y2 + 2xy+ 5x + 2y + 3

5x
+5x +2y

2y
+3

BUILDING MATH CONCEPTS

USING VISUAL MODELS

Evaluation of Algebraic Expressions

If x=5
If y=2
If x2=3

If y2=2
What is the value of y + 3 if y = 5?
y

= 8

Example

=
2x

2x

+ 9=

13

2x + 9 = 13
1. x = 2, the blocks shows ___________.
2x
+
9
=
11
2. x = 1, the blocks shows ___________
2x + 9 = 9
3. x = 0, the blocks show ____________

ADDING
INTEGERS

Expression : 8 + (- 4 )

-4

8
Simplest way

84=4

ADDING
INTEGERS

To show 5 - 9, show 4 differently by adding zero

-9=

-4

ADDITION OF
POLYNOMIAL

The blocks show (2x2 4x + 2) + (6x 5).

To find the sum, cancel blocks.

-3

2x2

2x

2x2 + 2x -3

Subtraction of
Polynomials

Subtract : (4y - 2) - (6y 5).

(4y - 2) - (6y 5)

(4y - 2) + (-6y + 5)

- 2y

= -2y + 3

Multiplication of
Polynomials
Using 2 pieces of x2 and 10 pieces of x, arrange the blocks into a
rectangle.

2x2 +
8x

Multiplication of
Polynomials

(x + 4)
x

Length: x+4

2x

Area :2x2 + 8

Width: 2x

Arrange the blocks into a rectangle. Sketch the rectangle

and identify the area, length and width.

2x +1

x+1

Area : 2x2 + 3x + 1
Length: 2x +1
Width: x+1

Show how to use blocks to represents the product.

1. x (5x+3)

5 x + 3x
2

Multiplication of
Polynomials
Using the blocks, x+3 is
illustrated as:

While, x-2 can be illustrated as:

Represent the product of 2x and x-3 using the blocks.

Answer: 2x(x-3) = 2x2 -6x

Show how to use algebra blocks to represent the product

Given:(x-1) (x+2)

Answer: x2 +x -2

Division of Polynomials
Use the corner piece and tiles to solve division problems.

Denominator

Quotient

numerator
The blocks shows
15 or 15 divided be 5
5

Therefore,
15 = 3
5

Consider the following algebra blocks

X + 3

These blocks shows x2 +3x

The rectangle formed gives the other

side length which is x+3.
Hence, the complete division equation is
x2 + 3 = x + 3
x

Given:
+4

2x2 + 7x

denomina
tor

2x + 1

X+
3

Remaind
er 1

remaind
er

numera
tor

Answer: 2x2 + 7x +4 =
remainder 1
2x + 1

x+3