Write an expression for each mat below. .

1. Simplify each mat to determine which expression is greater, if possible.

   Hint (a):

   Cancel out any zero pairs of tiles that you find.

   Help (a):

   How many of each tile is left from each side? Use this information to write an expression for each mat.

   More Help (a):

   Mat A has the expression $x+3$ since there is one $x$-tile and $3$ unit tiles. Mat B has the expression $2x + 3$. Now remove any matched sets from both sides.

   Answer (a):

   We are left with:
   Mat A equals $1$
   Mat B equals $x$
   Since we don't know the value of $x$, we do not know which Mat is greater.

2. If $x = 3$, would your answer to part (a) change? Explain.

   Help (b):

   Which Mat is greater when you substitute $3$ for $x$?

3. If $x =-2$, would your answer change? Explain.

   Help (c):

   Which Mat is greater when you substitute $−2$ for $x$?