This week in Math 10 we started our polynomials unit. In this blog post I am going to explain how to use algebra tiles. Algebra tiles can help you because it can be more visual to see the blocks instead of doing more of it in your head and leaves less room for mistakes.
First you need to know what the different algebra tiles mean. If an algebra tile is coloured in that means it’s a positive tile, that represents a positive number or variable. If the algebra tile is not coloured in it’s a negative algebra tile, which is representing a negative number/variable.
- A square tile represents a x2.
- A rectangle tile represents a x.
- A small square represents a constant.
Now that we worked through some basics we can get on to a question. In these types of questions you will see an expression given to you and you need to expand it out to algebra tiles.
Our first step here is to draw the equation dawn on the sides of the square.
Our next step is to draw in the algebra tiles on the inside. A trick I use is you draw the vertical line of the algebra tile the length of the tile on the left and the horizontal line the same length as the tile on the top
.
Now that we have all of our blocks drawn in the only step left is to draw in the positive squares and then cross out any zero pairs you may have. All you need to do is look at what is multiplying what. Remember when two negatives multiply the product is positive and when a negative and a positive multiply the product is negative!
And it’s that simple! Algebra tiles can be useful if you are a more visual person and need to draw something out. Just remember to always finish it by seeing what is positive and what is negative!
Leave a comment