Concept Byte: Modeling One-Step Equations

Use With Lesson 2-1

ACTIVITY

Algebra tiles can help you understand how to solve one-step equations in one variable. You can use the algebra tiles shown below to model equations. Notice that the yellow tile is positive and the red tile is negative. Together, they form a zero pair, which represents 0.

Unit tiles	Variable tiles
	= a variable, such as x

ACTIVITY

Model and solve x − 2 = 4 . bold italic x minus 2 equals 4 .

Equation	Algebra tiles	Step
x − 2 = 4 x minus 2 equals 4		Model the equation using tiles.
x − 2 + 2 = 4 + 2 x minus 2 plus 2 equals 4 plus 2		The green tile represents x. To get the green tile by itself on one side of the equation, add two yellow tiles to each side. Remember, a yellow tile and a red tile form a zero pair. Remove all zero pairs.
x = 6		The green tile equals six yellow tiles. This represents x = 6. The solution of x − 2 = 4 x minus 2 equals 4  is 6.

Exercises

Write the equation modeled by the algebra tiles.

Use algebra tiles to model and solve each equation.

3. x − 3 = 2 x minus 3 equals 2
4. x − 4 = 7 x minus 4 equals 7
5. x + 1 = 5
6. x + 4 = 7
7. 1 + x = − 3 1 plus x equals negative 3
8. 5 + x = − 3 5 plus x equals negative 3
9. x − 4 = − 3 x minus 4 equals negative 3
10. − 4 + x = − 8 negative 4 plus x equals negative 8

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