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

Algebra tiles can be used to represent one-step equations with a whole number coefficient and a whole number constant.

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

Use the algebra tiles below to represent the equation.

3x = 9

Solution

3x means 3 times x which is represented by three green x bars. The constant 9 is represented by nine light green positive square tiles.

Pre-requisite Skills

Evaluate Expressions (x/÷) (5.6.4)

Solve Algebraic Equations (x/÷) (5.6.8)