Expression Tiles Lab
Variables become objects
Change x-tiles and unit tiles to see coefficients and constants as objects.
What this game shows · Expression as Tiles
Variables become physical when you can drag them. The expression tile lab uses long x-tiles for variables and small unit tiles for constants — so 3x + 5 is literally three rectangles plus five squares.
- x-tile
- a rectangle that stands for one unknown.
- Unit tile
- a small square that stands for the number 1.
- Like terms
- tiles of the same shape — only those can be combined.
Aligned with CCSS 6.EE.A.2 (write, read, and evaluate expressions with letters).
Expression tiles
Coefficients count variable tiles; constants count unit tiles.
Expression tiles, visualized.
01 What does the coefficient mean? Coefficient = count
The number of x-tiles. 3x is three x-tiles laid side by side. The coefficient is just the count.
02 Why can't you combine 3x and 5? Unlike shapes
Because they are different shapes. 3 rectangles and 5 squares can't merge into one shape — that's why "unlike terms" stay separate.
03 How does this connect to solving equations? Pre-balance
When you isolate x, you remove unit tiles from both sides until only x-tiles remain on one side. The Equation Balance Lab game shows that follow-up.
04 Which grade is this game for? Grade 6
Grade 6, aligned with CCSS 6.EE.A.2. Direct ramp to writing and simplifying expressions in Grades 7–8.