Solving Equations with Algebra Tiles
Solving Equations with Algebra Tiles
Items in this lesson
Solving Equations with Algebra Tiles
What is an equations?
Explain how you would solve: x -9 = -12
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will be able to model, interpret, and solve basic equations using algebra tiles, and understand zero pairs.
What Are Algebra Tiles?
Algebra tiles are small coloured blocks that help us model mathematical expressions and equations. Each tile represents a variable or a number.
Understanding Zero Pairs
A zero pair is a positive tile and its matching negative tile combined. Together, they cancel out to zero.
For example: (+1) and (−1) is a zero pair.
What is an Equation?
An equation shows that two values are balanced. The '=' sign means the left side and right side have the same value. Our goal is to isolate the variable, like x, while keeping both sides equal.
Making Zero Pairs
What makes a zero pair with: - a) −6: Add +6. - b) x: Add –x.
Solving x − 2 = −7 with Tiles
Model x − 2 = −7 with algebra tiles. Add zero pairs as needed to isolate x. What value does x have when the model is balanced?
