On the Guided Practice tab,
one-step equations will be generated for you.
In level 1, generated equations can be solved
using the inverse operation of multiplication.
To solve an equation using algebra tiles,
first use the tiles to represent the equation.
Drag tiles from the tile bank to model the equation exactly.
If you make a mistake while modeling the equation,
you can drag tiles back to the tile bank to delete them.
Click “Check” when you have modeled the equation.
The equation must be modeled correctly
before you can proceed to the next step.
Now it is time to divide.
Select the integer to divide by.
You should divide by the number of unknown tiles.
If you pick the wrong number,
you will be able to pick a different number
from the drop-down menu.
Dividing by a negative number flips all of the tiles,
so positives become negatives and negatives become positives.
Now divide the tiles evenly among the zones that appear.
If any of the tiles are shaking,
then they have not been placed into a zone yet.
Click “Ready” when the tiles are evenly distributed
between the zones.
All of the zones but the first on each side will fade,
thereby showing the solution.
Interpret the solution
by counting the number of constant tiles
that correspond to the unknown tile.
Select the value of x from the drop-down icon.
If you select the wrong value,
an error message will appear and you can try again.
After you have found the solution,
thumbnail images of each stage appear,
along with their related equations.
In this way, you can observe the step you took
to solve the one-step equation.
Click “Try another” to try another example.
In level 2, generated equations can be solved
using the inverse operation of
addition or subtraction of constant terms.
To solve an equation using algebra tiles,
first use the tiles to represent the equation.
Drag tiles from the tile bank to model the equation exactly.
Click “Check” when you have modeled the equation.
The equation must be modeled correctly
before you can proceed to the next step.
When the equation is modeled correctly,
a thumbnail image of your model will be preserved for you,
in case you wish to reference it later.
Now isolate the unknown by dragging tiles
from the tile bank to both sides of the equation.
Notice that when you drag tiles to one side of the workspace,
the equals sign turns red
until you drag matching tiles to the other side
to rebalance the equation.
When a positive tile and a negative tile
are on the same side of the workspace together
and the equation is balanced,
the two tiles will automatically cancel.
Drag tiles from the tile bank to both sides
until the unknown tile is on one side of the equals sign
and all of the constant tiles are on the other.
Click “Ready” when you are done isolating the unknown.
Interpret the solution by counting the number of constant tiles
that correspond to the unknown tile.
Select the value of x from the drop-down icon.
If you select the wrong value, an error message will appear
and you can try again.
After you have found the solution,
thumbnail images of each stage appear,
along with the related equations.
In this way, you can observe the step you took
to solve the one-step equation.
Click “Try another” to try another example.
In level 3, generated equations can be solved
using the inverse operation
of addition or subtraction of unknown terms.
To solve an equation using algebra tiles,
first use the tiles to represent the equation.
Drag tiles from the tile bank to model the equation exactly.
Click “Check” when you have modeled the equation.
The equation must be modeled correctly
before you can proceed to the next step.
When the equation is modeled correctly,
a thumbnail image of your model will be preserved for you,
in case you wish to reference it later.
Now isolate the unknown by dragging tiles
from the tile bank to both sides of the equation.
Notice that when you drag tiles to one side of the workspace,
the equals sign turns red
until you drag matching tiles to the other side
to rebalance the equation.
When a positive tile and a negative tile
are on the same side of the workspace together
and the equation is balanced,
the two tiles will automatically cancel.
Drag tiles from the tile bank to both sides
until the unknown tile is on one side of the equals sign
and all of the constant tiles are on the other.
Click “Ready” when you are done isolating the unknown.
Interpret the solution by
counting the number of constant tiles
that correspond to the unknown tile.
Select the value of x from the drop-down icon.
If you select the wrong value,
an error message will appear and you can try again.
After you have found the solution,
thumbnail images of each stage appear,
along with the related equations.
In this way, you can observe the step you took
to solve the one-step equation.
Click “Try another” to try another example.
In Level 1 of the Workspace tab,
you can enter equations that can be solved
using the inverse operation of multiplication
just like Level 1 of the Guided Practice tab.
In this virtual manipulative, the equations that you can enter
are limited to expressions and solutions
that can be modeled by algebra tiles,
so the value that you choose for one drop-down
effects the options you can pick for the other drop-down.
In Level 2 of the Workspace tab,
you can enter equations that can be solved
using the addition or subtraction of constant terms
just like Level 2 of the Guided Practice tab.
In Level 3 of the Workspace tab,
you can enter equations that can be solved
using the addition or subtraction of unknown terms
just like Level 3 of the Guided Practice tab.
In this virtual manipulative,
the equations that you can enter are limited to
expressions and solutions that can be modeled by algebra tiles,
so the value that you choose for a drop-down
for the coefficient of an unknown term
determines the option you can pick
for the drop-down for the other unknown term.