In algebra tiles, which shape represents constants?

In algebra tiles, which shape represents constants?

• A. Rectangles represent constants
• B. Squares represent constants
• C. Circles represent constants
• D. Triangles represent constants

Answer: (B)

Constants are the numeric parts without any x, so in algebra tiles they’re shown using unit squares. Each unit square represents the value 1, and you can combine several of them to build any whole number. That’s why the square shape is used for constants. Rectangles are used for the x terms (to represent multiples of x), while circles or triangles aren’t the standard shapes for constant terms in this tile model. For example, 5 would be five unit squares, 4x would be four rectangles shaped 1 by x, and x^2 would be a larger square representing x times x.

Constants are the numeric parts without any x, so in algebra tiles they’re shown using unit squares. Each unit square represents the value 1, and you can combine several of them to build any whole number. That’s why the square shape is used for constants. Rectangles are used for the x terms (to represent multiples of x), while circles or triangles aren’t the standard shapes for constant terms in this tile model. For example, 5 would be five unit squares, 4x would be four rectangles shaped 1 by x, and x^2 would be a larger square representing x times x.