In this project we are exploring the mathematical concept/method of completing the square. We are exhibiting this concept/method by making a puzzle, so to speak, that will simplify this apparently complicated method so that almost anyone can do it. For example if you have the equation x2+4x+C, where C=missing factor, you would put down a x2 block (the biggest), four x blocks (the medium sized blocks), two on adjacent sides of the x2 block and then you have to figure out what C would equal. In this equation C would equal 4 because it would take 4 of the C blocks to “complete the square”. However, this is a different plan then what we started from. Originally the puzzle was going to be much more complicated, so complicated that I can’t really explain, and we found this idea as we were researching completing the square, and it’s a lot easier to do, I believe. The original plan did cover a more real life instance when you could use this concept/method, but due to the fact that now days you really wouldn’t use it we went in another direction. The real life application for completing the square is more just for quadratics in general. When you are trying to calculate the arc of a moving object, for instance in golf when you are working on your swing, quadratics are used whether you realize it or not.
This was a fun project to do because it helped me realize how much we really use quadratics and completing the square in everyday life. It also made me wonder why I had trouble with completing the square during the year because after we made this puzzle it extremely easy to understand. It was also fun to be able to use my hands as I cut out and stained our puzzle because I love projects that allow me to make things. I think this will also help classes to come as the teacher explains completing the square because we’re going to give this puzzle to the school since we wouldn’t have a need for it.
