Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Math Blog
    • Math Blog Table of Contents
  • Shop
  • Free Math & ELA Resources
  • Problem of the Week
  • Math Games
  • Privacy Policy

Using the Ladder Method in Middle School Math, for GCF, LCM, Factoring

2/25/2016

2 Comments

 
Pin it
Use the ladder method in math class to find GCF & LCM, factor and reduce fractions – great method!
Do you use the ladder method in middle school or elementary math, to find GCF, LCM, or for any other math concepts?
If you haven't had the chance to use the ladder method (or the upside down birthday cake method, as some call it), I highly recommend it.

Uses of the Ladder Method
As you can see in the anchor chart (sorry it's not as pretty as some!), math students can use the ladder method for greatest common factor (GCF), least common multiple (LCM), factoring, reducing fractions, finding prime factorization, and for finding the least common denominator (not pictured)!  So many uses!



Benefits of  Using the Ladder Method
1) What I really love about this method is that the process is the same for each use; the outside numbers are just used differently. I love the fact that the continued use of the ladder method (for various math concepts) leads middle school math students to make greater connections between numbers.....and finding factors seems to come more easily.

2) In addition to helping math students find GCF and LCM, using the ladder method helps students see the relationships between numbers more clearly. It's very easy to see what factors the numbers have in common and how those factors 'contribute' to the LCM or GCF.

Ladder Method for Factoring
When I started using the ladder method for factoring,  students picked up the factoring concept MUCH more quickly than when I hadn't used it. 
​
The steps to use the ladder method for factoring are:
 1) Put the expression into the ladder.
2) Take out the common factors, one at a time (common factors go outside the ladder, then divide each number in the expression by that factor and put the quotient below the numbers in the ladder. Repeat until all common factors have been 'removed.') 
3) Multiply the numbers on the left of the ladder - these are the GCF and go outside the parenthesis in the factored expression.
4) Put the numbers at the bottom of the ladder into the parenthesis.


The short video below demonstrates how to factor a simple expression.

PictureClick to download from TPT
Ladder Method Resources
A while back, I wrote a guest post about the ladder method on Rachel Lynette's blog, so if you're interested in reading more, check it out 
here. I shared a ladder method fold-it-up in my guest post, but you can also click on the image here, if you'd like to download it.

Ladder Method Doodle Notes
I've also created a fun Doodle Notes page to help students with the Ladder Method!
​Click on the image, to see it on TPT.

If you haven't used the ladder method before, I hope you'll give it a try! If you have, I'm sure you understand why I love it:-)

Picture
To read next:
2 Comments
Jodi DeLuca
10/3/2017 10:21:16 am

We LOVE the ladder method as sixth grade math teachers! Thank you for the foldable. We included it in our INB!

Reply
Sarita
9/11/2019 08:25:31 am

Very nice

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Hey there! I'm Ellie - here to share math fun, best practices, and engaging, challenging, easy-prep activities ideas!
    Looking for a particular topic or activity? Check out the Blog Table of Contents.

    Pixel art create your own color by answer
    math color by number activities for grades 5 to 7
    note taking graphic organizers for 6th grade math

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013

Back to Free Page
  • Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Math Blog
    • Math Blog Table of Contents
  • Shop
  • Free Math & ELA Resources
  • Problem of the Week
  • Math Games
  • Privacy Policy