Algebra tiles v0.1.0
Tiles for x², x and 1, each one positive or negative. Drag them onto the grid, tap a tile to flip its sign, turn the x tiles on their side, and cancel zero pairs. The expression the tiles make is written beside them as you go.
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How to use it
- Press a tile to add it (colored is positive, red is negative), then drag it onto the grid. Tiles snap to the grid.
- Tap a tile to flip its sign. Select an x tile and press Turn x to lay it down or stand it up.
- Press Cancel zero pairs to remove each matching positive and negative of the same kind.
- Read the expression next to the stage, and press Print to print the stage.
Ideas for class
- Model 2x + 3 with tiles, then add x − 1 and read the sum: collect like tiles and cancel the zero pair.
- Show −x + x on the stage and ask what the tiles are worth together (zero), then cancel them.
- Build x² + 3x + 2 and arrange the tiles into a rectangle to see its factors, (x + 1)(x + 2).
- Subtract by adding the opposite: flip the tiles being subtracted, then cancel zero pairs.
- Ask students to build −2x + 5 and then make a different set of tiles that has the same value.
- Print a stage with a built expression for students to name and factor.
Related
Questions
What are algebra tiles?
A set of tiles that stand for algebra terms: a big square for x², a long rectangle for x and a small square for 1. A second color or side stands for the negative of each.
Why is the x tile not a whole number of ones long?
Because x is a variable: it could be any number. Making the x tile a little longer than three unit squares keeps students from reading it as exactly 3 or 4.
What is a zero pair?
One positive tile and one negative tile of the same kind. Together they are worth zero, so they can be taken off the stage without changing the value.
Is my work saved?
No. Print the stage to keep it. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
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