Factor Pair Generator submitted by: Jeff LeMieux, August 2004 This narrative describes how I use my javascript tool, cataloged in the Math Tools digital library, in the classroom. Course: Math 7 Topic: Factors, factoring, area Resource type: JavaScript Resource location: http://www2.whidbey.net/ohmsmath/webwork/javascript/fctrpr.htm Math Forum catalogue entry: http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/12882 Story:  (See also http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/794, Factors and Prime Factors) One area of confusion for some middle school students is separating the ideas of factors (one of the numbers in a multiplication problem), factor pairs (two factors that equal a given product) and prime factors (the set of prime numbers which multiply to a given product). Too often it is assumed that students have made these connections when oftentimes they are a blur. This tool and tool 794 referenced above can be used to distinguish these ideas. Another feature of this tool is that it can be used for some area problems, e.g., what are the whole number dimensions for all the rectangles of a particular area? Extrapolating, how can you compare the perimeters to the areas? This tool allows a large number of investigations to be made without having to spend time on the individual computation (division) required to solve these. Where and how I used this: I make this tool available on the assignment page whenever it is germane to what we are working on. It was originally developed to help check student work. In this sense it enables individualized questions, since the answers are readily available. It can be used with a projector for a speed drill/quiz environment. This tool is especially helpful when analysing various areas and perimeters. Send comments to Jeff LeMieux at tackweed@whidbey.net Jeff LeMieux August 2004 http://www2.whidbey.net/ohmsmath