Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do
Multiply out and simplify:
(p – q)²
(3x + 2)²
(x + 4)(x – 3)
Solve problems such as:
Prove that the product of two odd numbers is always odd.
Probing questions
How do you go about simplifying this expression?
Give me some examples that you typically find easy.
Give me some examples that you typically find difficult.
What makes these difficult?
What do you have to look out for?
What if pupils find this a barrier?
Use the grid method of multiplication as a model for the product of two
linear expressions (see FTM(S)Y789
p 105 - Acrobat pdf document (24Kb) and FTM(S)Y789
p 119 - Acrobat pdf document (68Kb)).
Ensure that pupils make links with more efficient written methods.
Give pupils a selection of expressions that are typically causing problems
(negative values, coefficients other than 1, non-standard presentation,
etc.). Ask pupils to classify the problems and work on strategies to overcome
them.
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