Alge-Tiles

For all Alge-Tile work it is

essential to remember that
RED means minus
And
Any other colour means plus.
1
Variables
x
2

-x
2
x
-x
-1
Example
Represent the following trinomials using alge-tiles:
1. 2x
2
+3x+5
2. x
2
-2x-3
Alge-Tile Uses
Algebra tiles can be used for (among other things):
Section 1. Identifying like and unlike terms
Section 2. Adding and Subtracting Integers
Section 3. Simplifying Expressions
Section 4. Multiplying in algebra
Section 5. Factorising trinomials
Section 6. Doing linear equations
Section 1. Like Terms
Example 1. 4x+5
Can any of these be added ? Explain your answer
Example 2. 4x+5x
Can any of these be added ? Explain your answer
Section 2. Adding and Subtracting Integers

Example 1. 4-7
Example 2. 3-6
Section 3. Adding and Subtracting Trinomials

Example 1. 2x
2
+3x+5 + x
2
-5x-1
Section 3. Adding and Subtracting Trinomials

Example 1. 2x
2
+3x+5 + x
2
-5x-1
Answer 3x
2
-2x+4
Section 3. Adding and Subtracting Trinomials

Example 2. 2x
2
+3x+2 - ( x
2
-2x+1 )
-
A CONCRETE IDEA FOR CHANGING SIGNS.
Section 3. Adding and Subtracting Trinomials

Example 2. 2x
2
+3x+2 - ( x
2
-2x+1 )
A CONCRETE IDEA FOR CHANGING SIGNS.
Section 3. Adding and Subtracting Trinomials

Example 2. 2x
2
+3x+2 - ( x
2
-2x+1 )
A CONCRETE IDEA FOR CHANGING SIGNS.
Answer x
2
+5x+1
Practice
Simplify the following:
1) 6-7
2) 3-2-4-1
3) 5x
2
+2x
4) 2x
2
+4x+2x
2
-x
5) 3x
2
-2x+4+x
2
-x-2
6) x
2
-3x-2-x
2
-2x+4
7) 2x
2
-2x-1-3x
2
-2x-2
8) x
2
+2x+1- 3x
2
-x
9) x
2
-x+3-2x
2
+2x+x
2
-2x-5
Simplify the following:
10)2-8-1
11)-5-1-4+1
12)x
2
+2
13)x
2
+5x+x
2
-2x
14)2x
2
-x+1 - (2x
2
-2x-5)
15)x
2
- 2x
2
-2x+4 - (x
2
+2x+3)
16)3x
2
-4x+2 - (x
2
+2)
17)x
2
+x-2 - 2(x
2
+2x-3)
18)-4x-3 - (2x
2
-2x-4)
Multiplying & Factorising
General Aim
Whether multiplying or factorising, the general aim is to generate a rectangle
and have no pieces left over.
Also the small squares always go in the bottom right hand corner
Section 4. Multiplying in algebra
Example 2. Multiply (x-1)(x-3)
Answer: x
2
-4x+3
Practice
Multiply the following:
1) x(x+3)
2) 2(x-5)
3) 3x(x-1)
4) (x+4)(x+3)
5) (x-1)(x+2)
6) (x-4)(x-2)
7) (3x-1)(x-3)
8) (x-1)(x-1)
9) (2x+1)
2
10) (x-2)
2
Factors and Area

- a geometrical approach


Review Multiplication
Again
Section 5. Factorising Quadratic Trinomials

Show (x+1)(x+3) by arranging the tiles in a rectangle.
x
x
3
1
+
+
Rearrange the tiles to show the expansion:
x
2
+ 4x + 3
How it works
Now Arrange them into a
Rectangle
Remember the little guys go in the
bottom right corner
x
2
+ 6x + 8
To factorise this expression form a rectangle with the pieces.
x
+ 4
x
+
2
( x + 4 )( x + 2 ) The factors are
Factorise x
2
+ 6x + 8

Factorise x
2
+6x+8
x + 3
x
-
1
NOTE: REDS ARE NEGATIVE
NOW COMPLETE THE RECTANGLE WITH NEGATIVE SQUARES
Show (x+3)(x-1) by arranging the tiles in a rectangle.
Rearrange the tiles to show the expansion:
x
2
+ 3x -1x
- 3
= x
2
+ 2x - 3
(x+3)(x-1)
Factorise x
2
- 4x + 3

x
2
- 4x
+ 3
x - 3
x - 1
The factors are ( x - 3 )( x - 1 )
Factorise x
2
-4x+3
Factorise x
2
- x - 12

x
2
- x
-12
Factorise x
2
-x-12
Clearly there is no way to accommodate the
12 small guys in the bottom right hand
corner. What do you do?
?
You add in Zero in the form of +x and x.
And Keep doing it to complete the rectangle.
Factorise x
2
- x - 12

Factorise x
2
-x-12
The factors are ? ( x + 3 )( x - 4 )
x - 4
x

+

3

Section 6. Doing linear equations

Solve 2x + 2 = -8
=
Section 6. Doing linear equations

Solve 2x + 2 = -8
=
Section 6. Doing linear equations

Solve 2x + 2 = -8
=
=
=
Section 6. Doing linear equations

Solve 2x + 2 = -8
=
=
Solution x = -5
Section 6. Doing linear equations

=
Solve 4x 3 = 9 + x
You can take away the same thing from both sides
Section 6. Doing linear equations

=
Solve 4x 3 = 9 + x
You can add the same quantity to both sides
Section 6. Doing linear equations

=
Solve 4x 3 = 9 + x
Section 6. Doing linear equations

=
Solve 4x 3 = 9 + x
=
=
Section 6. Doing linear equations

=
Solve 4x 3 = 9 + x
=
=
Solution x = 4
Practice
Solve the following:
1) x+4 = 7
2) x-2 = 4
3) 3x-1 =11
4) 4x-2 = x-8
5) 5x+1 = 13-x
6) 2(x+3) = x-1
7) 2x-4 = 5x+8