TANGRAM PUZZLES
Equivalent Expressions
Practice Simplifying Expressions
Practice Combining Like Terms
Practice Using The Distributive Property
Practice Identifying Equivalent Expressions
10 Puzzles included!
TANGRAM PUZZLES
Equivalent Expressions
Created By
Shane Maisonet
How To Solve Tangrams Puzzles
Cut out the seven shapes for each tangram puzzle. Match each expression with its
equivalent expression. After matching each expression with its equivalent expression a
picture will be formed. Each simplified expression should be centered directly underneath its
equivalent expression. The solution for each tangram set is shown on the very next page of
each tangram puzzle.
Suggested Ideas For Using Tangrams
All tangram puzzles were created so they will fit on an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet of paper after
they are formed. Students may glue their tangram pieces on a sheet of paper after solving a
tangram puzzle.
After placing the solved tangram puzzle on a sheet of paper, students may draw a background
setting that goes along with the shape that they formed.
Teachers may print each tangram puzzle on sturdy material such as card stock and place the
pieces in a ziplock bag. Stations can be set up with the tangram puzzles that students may
rotate to.
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copyright
Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Using The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
+
+
2)
8x + 16
8(
x
8
2x
+
4(
8)
4(
x
+
8x
+
2)
64
4(x + 4)
8(
x
+
8x 4)
+
8
4x
16
+
2x
+
4x
2(
2(
4x
+
8)
4x + 32
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
16
)
8x
+
4x
+
4
32
2(2x + 2)
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Using The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
2(4x + 8)
8x + 16
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
8(
8 x+
x
4
32 )
+
2(2x + 2)
4x + 4
2)
+
2x + 8
8x
8(
8x x +
+ 8)
64
4(
2(
2
4x x +
+ 16)
32
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
4(x + 4)
4x + 16
2)
+ 8
x
4( x +
4
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
A duck?
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Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
2x + 3x + 6 + 6
x + 2x + x - 3 + 9
4x + 12
4x + 2x - 8 + 20
9
x
+x
x
-6
-x
8x - 5x + 2 +3x + 2
+
x+x+x+5+x+7
+
3
6x + 12
5x +12
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
6x + 4
4x + 6
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
SOLUTION
x
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
+x
+
x
+
+
+1
5
4x
x
2
+
x
+
2x
+
x
-3
4x
+
+
9
6
7
9 + x + x - 6 -x
x+3
2x
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
+
3x
+
6
+
2
+1
5x
6
4x
+
2x
-8
6x
+
+
20
12
8x
+
x
+3
2
+ +4
x
- 5 6x
2
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
Crown
copyright
Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
9a - 4b - 3a + 6b
3a
+
8b - 3a + 5a - 7b
9b
+
3a
6a
5b
3a
b
10
b
-7
8a
a+
+
7b
4b
a
-3
4a
+
3b
a+
b
a
a+
a+
8b
+
+
a+
b
+
b
-7
a+
b
11
+
3a
b
3b
+
6a + 2b
8a - 9b + 11b - 5a - 2b
+
4a
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
b
2a + b
+
+
b
+
+
5a
b
+
5b
a+
a+
b
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
SOLUTION
5a + 5b
a+a+a+b+b+b+b+a+a+b
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
6a + 3b + 7b - 3a
4a - a + 8b + b
3a + 9b
3a + 10b
9a
8a -7b - 7a+ 11b
4b
6b
a+
- 3 2b
+
6a
a + 4b
4a + 5b
3a
5a
b
a+
- 3 2a +
b
8
+
-
2b
7b
3a + b + b + 3b + a
b
-9
a
8
b
11
5a
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
House, Arrow ...?
copyright
Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
4y
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
+
2x + 2y + 2
3x
+
4x + 9y - 7y - 3 + 5
3x
3x + 2y + 9
1
13
+
x
-2
y
-2
-3
-y
+
-
x
-2
2y
2y
+
7x
x
x
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
+
x
12
+
9
y
-9
+
y
11
+
1x
-1 +2
2y
x
7y - 3y + 3x + 8 - 7
9
-7
2x - 8y + 10y + 2
4x + 2y + 2
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
SOLUTION
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
3x + 2y - 2x - y - 2
x+y-2
x + 2y + 2
12x + 9 - 9y - 11x + 11y - 7
7y
5
+
-3 2
y
-7 y+
y
2
9
+ x+
4
4x
-3
y
4y + 3
+ x+
3x
8
+ -7
1
13x + 2y - 7x - 3x + 9
3x + 2y + 9
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
2x
-8
y
+
2
+
y
2
10 y +
2
+
2x
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
Person Running
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
36x + 72
x
36
+
18x + 24
36
3x
+
+
6)
4(
8x
36x + 24
6(
)
3x
-2
+
8
12(x + 2x + 6)
+
x
36
+
32
x
18
6(5x - 2x + 4)
3(
2x
+
10
x
+
6)
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
24
4(3x + 6x + 6)
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
4(
3x
36 + 6
x
x
+
+
24 6)
6)
2x 2
+ +7
x
(
x
12 36
+
3(2x + 10x + 6)
36x + 18
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
6(3x + 3x + 6)
36x + 36
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
6(
5x
18 - 2x
x
+ +4
24 )
4(8x + 8 - 2)
32x + 24
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
Television With Stand
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
4
m
+2
-8
+
-m
+
7k
-9
12
k
17
+
3k
-1
-8
k
10 - 8k - 3m - 6 + 12k + 5m
5m
12
k
4k + 5m + 4
m
k
-4
+
4
4k
5m
+
3k
+
3
k
+ 9m
4m 4
+
12
3k + 5m + 3
+
+
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
4
5m
+
3
4k
+
+
m
5m
+
3
+
3k
4m
5
4
+
+
-1
5m
3k
+
m + m + 2m + 6k - 3k + 3
3k + 4m + 3
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
3k
3k
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
+
+
9m
5m
-
+
4m
3
-9
+1
2
+
4m
+
3k
4k +2m + 4
7k - 4k + 5m - 8 - m + 12
3k + 4m + 4
m
10 - 8k - 3m - 6 + 12k + 5m
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
5
4
+
+
-1
5m
3k
+
3k + 4m + 3
17k + 5m - 13k + 4
4k + 5m + 4
3
+
m
5
+
3
k
+
8
m
k
5
12 k +
4
m + m + 2m + 6k - 3k + 3
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
Ship , Sailboat
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
9x
8x++3x
4x--99++55
36
4(
5x
-4
12
x
16x + 24
x
16
+
x
-1
)
12
x
+
8
4x
2(
+
2x
12
x
2)
-1
4
+
x
-2
3
+
2(
2x
+4
x
-7
)
4
4(
+
16x - 4
x(5 + 7) + 8
-2
4(x + x + x + x + 9)
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
5)
12x
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
x(
5
12 + 7)
x
+ +8
8
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
4(x + x + x + x + 9)
16x + 36
9x
8x++3x
4x--99++55
12x - 4
4(
4x
2(2x +4x - 7)
12x - 14
5)
+
3
+ 4
-2 +2
x
16
4(
5x
16 - x
x
- 4 - 1)
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
x
4
2(
+
+
-2
2x x
12
2)
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
Person With a Hat
copyright
Maisonet Math
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Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
5y
x
-5
9x
+
8
4(
x
2y
)+
2
+
-
2)
7x
8
+
4y
+
2y
4x
4x + 2y +x + 3y + 15 - 7
+
y
-2
3(
5y
+
8y
+
5x - 2
+
4x
y
-8
x
-8
x
12
5x
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
+
9y
+
+
5y
+
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
5x
8
3x
+
5y
4x
+
8y
+
8
3x + 4x - 8y + 4y - 8 + 10
x(5 - 2) + 5y
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
5x
-8
5 y+
x
- 2 8y
-2
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
3(
y
8
+
2y
)+
5y
x
y
-5 +5
9x 4x
+
9y
+
5y
)+ y
2
5
5
+
x( 3x
-8
x
+
+
4(x + 2y + 2)
4x + 8y + 8
4x
12
x
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
10
8
4x
+
+
5y
3y
+
8
15
+
-7
+
+x
5x
3x
2y
-8
4y 2
+ +
y
- 8 - 4y
4x 7x
+
+
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
whale, fish
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
Directions: Cut out each of the seven shapes. Match each expression with its accompanying
equivalent expression. Placing all pieces in their correct position will form a picture.
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
5x + 1
7x
-5
5
-2
-5
-2
x
2
x
-2
5(
-2
0
5(x - 8 + 4)
5x
5x
5x
-5
5x
)
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
9x
-3
x
-x
-2
+
2(
x
)+
-5
x
3(
-4
)
5x - 10
3
3(x - 5) + 2x + 5
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms And The Distributive Property
SOLUTION
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
7x - 5 - 2x
5x - 5
5(x - 5)
5x - 25
3
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
4)
8+ 0
x- - 2
5( 5x
9x - 3x - x - 2 + 3
5x + 1
(x
-5
5x ) +
- 1 2x
0 +5
2(x - 5) + 3(x - 4)
5x - 22
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
A person galloping.
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
Combining Like Terms
4x
2
+
2
7x
4x
+
2
+
7x
3x
2
E
L
P
E
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
4x
2
-3
x
2
6x + x
5x
x
-6
2
x
10
+ 2 +x
x
x
-8
2
2
5x
x
-4
x
-2
+
8x
+
2
2
-2
x
7x
2x + 3x + 4x - 2x
-
7x
2
3x
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
2
2
3x
x
12
2x
+
2
+
+
3x
x
-9
2
2
x
-5
2x
3x
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
copyright
Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com
Equivalent Expressions
4x
4x
+
+
2
7x
2
4x
2
6x + x
2
2x + 3x + 4x - 2x
+
3x
2
Combining Like Terms
2
7x
E
L
P
E
SOLUTION
L
M
P
A
S
M
A
S
2
x
-4
x
10
+
2x
x
- 8 2x +
3
2
5x
2
+
-2
x
2x
-3
x
2
3x
E
E
L
L
P
P
M
M
A
A
S
S
2
+
5x
2
x
12
+
3x
x
2
2
8x
+
3x
-
2
7x
+
x
x
-2
x
2 -9
x
-5
6x
2 -
7x
What object was formed after placing the tangrams in their proper positions? (Answers may vary!)
cobra, snake , letter “s”, hurricane symbol?
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Maisonet Math
mrmaisonet.com