For this unit we were learning about polynomials and how to use algebra tiles to solve equations. For the project we were told to make a board game using polynomials and algebra tiles. We had to make up our own rules and design the ya,e our selves. This was a partner project so Mimi and I worked together.

Before we even started the project, we had to learn how to solve polynomials. Basically you can use the algebra tiles to factor, square or expand. We had a few lessons on how to solve these equations. We had to use all three concepts in our board game that we had to demonstrate us solving the problems in the video.

Factoring: To break it up into numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number.

Expanding: Removing the ( ).

Complete the square: The method of converting a quadratic equation which is not a perfect square into the sum or difference of a perfect square.

For brainstorming we had to come up with what type of game we wanted to make. We had a lot of freedom within the project. We could choose any type of game. It could be a board game, card game, etc. Mimi and I decided to make a board game. We also wanted to incorporate gambling into the game to make it more interesting and exciting. For the game we also needed to create a theme. We decided to go with a space theme.

Making a game involves a lot of creativity. You have to come up with a name, rules etc. Mimi and I came up with the name ‘Thinking outside the galaxy’, to go along with our space theme. I took us a while to think of rules. It took some revisions to clarify the rules. Basically the objective of our game was to winner get to the end first.

Here is our first draft of the rules,

1. gambling game with tokens
Each turn each player is given an equation at random that could either be the answer of an equation or the equation itself.
2. Both players have to solve them and whoever’s sum is the largest, moves on forward 2 spaces, and draws a card with positive movements.
3. if make a perfect square points are doubled

After we got some critique we re-did some of the rules to make them more clear and we added some details.

Final draft of rules,

1. Two player game.
2. Before the round starts, place bets (any of your possessions) in “gamble bowl”.
3. Player A will roll blue dice, the number on this dice will determine how many tile squares you will pick up from the blue bowl.
4. Player A will then do the same for the yellow dice and bowl and the green dice and bowl.
5. Player B will also take steps 3-4.
6. Once everybody has their tile squares each player can pick up one card from both stacks.
7. The card with the number, is the amount of extra tiles you can choose from the tile bowls.
8. The other stack with either the word factor, expand or square is what you are going to do with your tiles.
9. Using the box you are given, arrange the tiles to come up with the largest sum (keep in mind, you have to stick to what the cards tell you to do).
10. The player with the largest sum in the end can pick up a card from the blue pile, these cards will then tell you how many moves you can make across the game board track.
11. First player to reach the end of the game board track is the winner, the winner can then collect the bids in the bowl!

After we had of rules set in stone, we were able to make a rule book for the game. For each page we drew pictures to represent each instruction. This was just for a visual to make the instructions really clear.

Examples of the drawings,

Making the game board,

On the board we needed to have it big enough to fit the tracker on the side, and it needed to have enough room to fit all the tiles inside. We found a decent size piece of cardboard at my house that we ended up using. To add some personalization, we painted the board like a galaxy and it fit the theme of space.

The numbers on the side of the board represent the points for each player, and the first person to reach the end is the winner.

Check out our video explaining the rules for further details!

We got pretty good feedback and only had one revision. The revision was to demonstrate completing the square better. We just re-filmed it and added it to our video. However, we added a lot of personality into our video by adding humour at the end when I won all of the biddings. Overall this was a fun project, we got to be creative and I enjoyed making our own game. As well as having fun I also learned about the new math concepts.