Solving quadratic polynomials with algebra tiles

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For technical reasons, the variable x is here called xx.
Adjust xx, a, and b using the sliders.
The picture shows (x+a) times (x+b) as an area.
Blue areas are positive, red are negative; they cancel.
The area is shown at the bottom, including cancellation.

Susan Addington, April 28, 2007, Created with GeoGebra