Students will learn how to solve equations in quadratic form using u-substitution. Students will see problems involving integer exponents, such as
$$x^4 - 9x^2 + 14 = 0$$as well as problems involving rational exponents, such as
$$y^{1/3} - 3y^{1/6} - 10 = 0$$Conclude by giving your students these challenges:
Putting Two and Two Together by NRICH: Because NRICH states this problem is suitable for 7-11 years olds, but it references equilateral triangles and isosceles triangles, which are a grade 5 topic, these questions might be too easy for a 5th grader. What follows is how I would make the problem more difficult, for the students who aren't feeling challenged. There is only 1 free polyiamond for \(n = 2,\) but what about \(n = 3?\) 4? 5? 6? Drawings can be found here. The number of free polyabolos, for \(n \le 4,\) is also reasonable. I haven't found drawings for this, only the number of shapes for each \(n,\) which is here. For polydrafters, \(n \le 5\) is reasonable. Again, I couldn't find a drawing, but there's a listing of the number of shapes here.
TODO: Drawings for polyiamonds \(n \le 4\) and polydrafters \(n \le 5.\)