Algebra tiles support the representation and manipulation of constant, linear and quadratic expressions. Expressions are built up from tiles corresponding to each of x², −x², x, −x, 1, and −1, where the shape and colour indicates the class of tile.

The activities below help practice building up expressions using Algebra Tiles, using zero pairs — i.e. a pair of opposite tiles that cancel each other out, and like terms — i.e.  terms in an algebraic expression that can be combined (with tiles this is represented by the tiles having the same size and shape and basic colour).