Algebra
Algebra
Tiles
Introduction &
Practice
Name: _______________________________
Algebra Tiles
Date: __________________ Period: _______
Introduction & Practice
Find the tiles that look like this:
1.
We call these “unit” tiles. The length and width of each of these tiles is one unit. What is the area of one
tile? (Remember, area = length x width)
2. We can use these tiles to represent numbers. Each tile has a different color on each side. One color
represents positive number and the other color (usually red) represents negative numbers. Use your
algebra tiles to make the following numbers. Then, complete the chart by drawing your representation.
Number
Algebra Tile Representation
3
−5
2
−4
3. We can also use the tiles to represent addition. Use your algebra tiles and the example below to complete
the chart.
3+4
=7
−1 + (−5)
= −6
2+1
=3
4. Use algebra tiles to model the following sums:
3 + −3 = _____
1 + −1 = _____
We call these “zero pairs.” What do you observe about zero pairs?
© Amanda Hughes (IQB Math), 2019
4 + −4 = _____
5. Zero pairs can help us find sums. For example, consider 5 + −3 . We know that the answer is 2, and we can
show this using algebra tiles.
5 + (−3)
Zero Pair
Use algebra tiles to complete the chart below. Some of the drawings have been completed for you.
−1 + 4
= _____
−6 + 4
= _____
3 + (−8)
= _____
−4 + 5
= _____
9 + (−2)
= _____
Let’s consider the width of the tiles to be one unit. For
each of the lengths in the chart below, find the area of
the tile.
Length
Area
6. Now find tiles that look like these:
These tiles can represent any unknown value. We call
these tiles “𝑥𝑥” or “−𝑥𝑥.” One color represents positive 𝑥𝑥
and the color on the opposite side represents negative
𝑥𝑥.
© Amanda Hughes (IQB Math), 2019
1
4
7
20
𝑥𝑥
7. Use algebra tiles to model the following expressions. Draw your representation in the chart below. Two
examples are given.
8.
−4𝑥𝑥
5𝑥𝑥
−3𝑥𝑥
7𝑥𝑥
−2𝑥𝑥
We can also make zero pairs with 𝑥𝑥 and −𝑥𝑥 tiles. Find the missing values to complete the zero pairs and draw
their representation.
2𝑥𝑥
9.
3𝑥𝑥
−2𝑥𝑥
4𝑥𝑥
−3𝑥𝑥
Consider a tile that is a square (the length and the
width are the same). What is the area of the tile
for the following side lengths?
Side Length
Length x
length
Area (as a
square)
2
2�2
22
5
𝑥𝑥
10. Find these tiles:
These are called “𝑥𝑥 2 ” and “−𝑥𝑥 2 ”. How could a zero pair
be made for 2𝑥𝑥? Draw your algebra tile
representation.
7
𝑥𝑥
11. Model the following expressions using algebra tiles. Draw your representations.
3𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 1
−𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 4
5𝑥𝑥 − 7
−4𝑥𝑥 + 10
3𝑥𝑥 + 5
2𝑥𝑥 2 − 1
© Amanda Hughes (IQB Math), 2019
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