Vocabulary

Equation – is made up of two expressions connected by an equal sign.

Expression - a number, a variable, or a combination of numbers and variables and operation symbols.

Variable – a letter that represents an unknown number.

Algebra Tiles - mathematical manipulatives that allow students to better understand ways of algebraic thinking and the concepts of algebra.

Concepts

Equations can be represented with algebra tiles.

Rules

1. Put tiles in the left side of the equation mat to represent the numbers and/or variables on the left side of the equation. 
2. Put tiles in the right side of the equation mat to represent the numbers and/or variables on the right side of the equation.

Example

Model the equation with algebra tiles by dragging the correct tiles into the boxes below.

x + 3 = 5

Solution

1. The left side of the equation is x + 3. So, the left side of the set should have 1 x-tile and three 1-tiles. 

2. The right side of the equation is 5. So, the right side of the set should have five 1-tiles.

Pre-requisite Skills

Evaluate Variable Expressions (+/-) (5.6.2)

Evaluate Expressions (x/÷) (5.6.4)

Solve Algebraic Equations (+/-) (5.6.7)

Solve Algebraic Equations (x/÷) (5.6.8)