Uses of algebra manipulatives

Note that because Algeblocks include unit cubes, they can obviously be used anywhere unit cubes can be. See uses of one color counters for a complete list. Also, anything that can be done with two color counters can also be done with algebra manipulatives that include positive and negative unit squares. See uses of two color counters for a complete list. The list below applies to Algeblocks, algebra tiles, and Algebra Lab Gear. Algeblocks, and Algebra Lab Gear, have dimensions of 1, x, and y, so each activity must involve two variables or less. Depending on which set you purchase, your algebra tiles might have x, or x and y, or x, y, and z. As an aside, here's a brief history of algebra manipulatives, that I think is interesting.

• Evaluate an expression
  • Evaluate an expression using algebra manipulatives
• Represent polynomials with degree 3 or less
  • Representing polynomials using algebra manipulatives
• Multiply binomials, when the product has degree 3 or less. Factor quadratics, and certain cubics. This is just the opposite of multiplying binomials
  • Multiplying binomials using algebra manipulatives
• Combine like terms, add polynomials, or subtract polynomials, having degree 3 or less
  • Combining like terms using algebra tiles
• Divide one polynomial by another, when the dividend, divisor, and quotient, have degree 3 or less
  • Dividing polynomials using algebra manipulatives
• Solve one-step equations
  • Solving one-step equations using algebra manipulatives
• Solve two-step equations
  • Solving two-step equations using algebra manipulatives
• Solve multi-step equations
  • Solving multi-step equations using algebra manipulatives