Representing complex expressions

Grade 9s are working hard to represent expressions with exponents using toothpicks and skewers. We call the toothpicks x and the skewers y. We can build shapes with volumes like (x)(y)^2 and (y)(x)^2 now and we know how they are different. We can represent the surface areas also, since we know that each side is a rectangle, and the area of each rectangle is length times width.

We are working on our understanding of how the parentheses will affect the finished model. The important thing is to understand what the exponent touches will be the dimensions of the object.We’re getting the hang of it!