Algebra Tiles are a great way for algebra teachers to introduce the abstract concepts related to operations with binomials and trinomials. An actual physical set of algebra tiles usually includes squares and rectangles of different sizes. In the Algebra Tiles Playground black tiles are positive and red tiles are negative. The small square is a positive or negative unit. The rectangle represents the x-term. It can be positive or negative. The large square represents x². It can also be positive or negative.

The tiles are used to represent expressions and also show operations with binomials and trinomials. See below for some teaching ideas regarding how to use the Algebra Tiles Playground to help students better understand some basic concepts of algebra.