Working with Algebra Tiles

Algebra tiles are manipulative math tools that allow us to visualize a variety of math concepts.  We are learning about how to represent expressions and simplify expressions using algebra tiles.

The small squares represent 1, the rectangles represent x, and the big square represents x squared.  Reds are positives and blues are negatives.

We made pictures with the tiles, and then had to simplify them by eliminating all “zero pairs” (identical tiles in opposite colours add up to zero)

Cool bike!This may have been a dog….we’re still not sure.

In the end, the simplified versions look something like this.