Binomial Square Puzzle

This 12-inch square wood puzzle is divided into 4 colorful regions. Each region represents the multiplication of (4 + 1) times (4 + 1), to explore these important mathematical ideas:

• Multiplication can always be pictured as a rectangle
• Proportional reasoning
• Area concepts: (4 + 1) x (4 + 1) = 16 + 2 x 4 + 1
• Base-4 numeration: The small square is 4^0; the rectangle is 4^1; and the big square is 4^2.
• Any value from 1–100 can be created
• Builds place value understanding
• Understanding place value helps students later understand polynomials

A child does not need to articulate these ideas to benefit from playing with this puzzle. Current research on enactment suggests that exploration of concrete representations has potential to accelerate and deepen understanding of abstract ideas. WARNING: SMALL PARTS. May pose a choking hazard for children under 3years. Made in Vietnam for ages 3+.

DOWNLOAD these Printable PDFs for use with Binomial Squares:

Printable Trading Mat | 4 for 1 Trades | 5 for 1 Trades with Coins