Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Name: Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring | Mystery Detective Worksheets | Grades 8–10 | Algebra 1
Brand: Kiwiland Education
SKU: 17411950
Price: 4.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Mystery Detective Worksheets · Grades 8–10 · Algebra 1

10th grade math8th grade math9th grade mathGrade 10Grade 8Grade 9Answer keys included

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Self-checkingEvery right answer clears a suspect. A wrong answer matches nobody.

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Inside the case file

Factoring quadratics worksheets, factoring trinomials practice, and solving quadratic equations by factoring for 8th grade, 9th grade, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 are all included in this printable Mini Mystery Detective pack of math worksheets. There are ten detective cases over four difficulty levels. Use them in math centers or for homework. It's no prep, with an answer key for every case.

What's Inside

Level 1 - Factoring trinomials where a = 1, such as x² + 16x + 60 = 0
Level 2 - Factoring out the greatest common factor first, such as 5x² - 9x = 0 and 5x² + 15x - 50 = 0, and the difference of two squares, such as x² - 169 = 0 and 9x² - 16 = 0
Level 3 - Factoring trinomials where a is greater than 1, such as 6x² - 17x + 7 = 0, with fractional solutions like 1/2 and 7/3
Level 4 - Rearranging into standard form before factoring, such as x² = 9x + 22 and 4x² - 35 = -13x
Factoring each quadratic into two binomials and applying the zero product property throughout
Answer keys for every case

The ten cases are grouped into four levels, which makes it easy to differentiate.

The Cases

Ten mysteries set on a film studio backlot: The Stolen Screenplay, The Missing Final Reel, The Blacked-Out Stage, The Silent Boom Mic, The Cracked Lens Case, The Vanished Chair, The Swapped Award, The Lost Clapperboard, The Sabotaged Speaker and The Scrambled Footage.

What is a Mini Mystery Detective?

A no-prep detective activity where students solve math problems to cross off suspects and unmask the culprit. Every suspect wears an ID badge, and each badge matches the solutions to one of the equations on the page. Students factor an equation, find the matching badge and cross that suspect off. The one suspect left standing is the villain.

Every page is self-checking. If a student ends up with two suspects, or none, they know something needs another look.

When to Use This Resource

Independent practice the same day you teach each factoring method
Differentiated small groups working at different levels on the same activity
Early finishers
Emergency sub plans and substitute folders
Spiral review
Intervention and re-teaching before a retest
End-of-unit review and test prep

Grade Levels

Designed for 8th-11th graders working through an Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 quadratics unit. With four levels, the same pack works for students who need more practice with a = 1 and for students ready for non-monic trinomials and rearranging.

Why Teachers Love Mystery Detectives

Nothing to cut, laminate or put together
Four levels in one pack
Self-checking pages
A film studio mystery in every case
Algebra practice with some logic and process of elimination

For a first pass at this skill, the shorter single-level pack is Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Mystery Detective.

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