So recently in Math we just finished a unit on Polynomials. The biggest part of the unit however, was algebra tiles. If you didn’t know algebra tiles are an easier way to solve algebraic questions as you can visualize the question infant of you.

We had to learn how to both expand and factor polynomials. We learnt these skills both with paper and with algebra tiles. Factoring is when you have an answer and have to get the factors of it. For example if I have 2x + 10 my answer would be (x + 5)(2). Meaning the X times by 2 is 2x and 5 times 2 is 10. Expanding is doing the exact opposite of factoring. When you expand you get given 2 factors to solve the equation with. Going back to my example earlier, if I was expanding I’d start with (x + 5)(2) and my answer would be (2x + 10).

Then it was project time! In partners we had to come up with a board game based around algebra tiles. So it was pretty open ended. Why partner Ethan and I decided that we wanted a few more variables to the game than just the algebra tiles. So we decided to include a dart board because well, why not.

The rules for the game are complicated but also quite simple in a way.

Player Turn
-Throw a dart at the dart board
-If you miss the dart board you turn is over
-If you hit the dart board draw one Algebra Card
-There will be a algebra tile multiplication table on the card
-Expand the algebra tiles
-Check your answer:
-If you expand the card correctly move forward on the game board as determined by Dart Board Scoring
-If your answer is incorrect, move backward on the game board as determined by Dart Board Scoring

Game End
-The game ends immediately when a player gets to the centre of the board and reaches the winner’s circle

Game Setup
-Game is for 2-5 players
-Lay out the Dart Algebra game board
-Shuffle the deck of Algebra Cards and place on the board
-Place all characters on square #1 where it says START
-Set up the dart board at least 5 feet away from you
-Throw one dart each to determine the starting player
-Highest score goes first
-See Dart Board Scoring for details

Dart Board Scoring
-Score the number that corresponds with the section you landed in
-If you are in the double/triple section you score double the section value
-If you hit the bullseye you score 5

Here’s the video we made to present the game to the class:

Overall I enjoyed this project a lot because it gave my partner and I a lot of options with what we wanted to do. Both of us enjoy playing darts so we thought why not integrate it. I also learnt a lot about algebra tiles, as before this unit I absolutely hated using algebra tiles. I just completely preferred writing it down or doing it in my head. Now though, I have many options on  how to solve a math question.