Week 3  (Chip Models)

Note: While using the chip model in math, the black (colored circle) chip is positive and red (open circle) is negative.

Addition on Integers
4 + (-7) = ?

Step 1: The first step to do fill the first circle with the first number.  In this case you would fill in the first circle with a positive 4.  You would then fill the second circle with a negative 7 since that is the second number in the equation.

Step 2: You would then combine the two circle together into one, which mixes all the chips together.

Step 3: Lastly, you need to pair off the positive chips with the negative chips.  In this case there are 3 negative chips left which means the answer is -3.

Subtraction of Integers:
5 - (-2) =?

Step 1:  For subtraction, you first need to fill the first circle with the first number in the set.  

Step 2:  Since there is two negative chips, pair them with two positive chips to make the zeros.

Step 3:  You then continue to the second number that is in the equation that says to take away -2 chips.  After you take those away, count how much you have left which is going to be a positive 7.

Multiplication of Integers

4 x (-2) = ?

Step 1:  For multiplication, you first need to know how many sets of what number you are doing.  In this case, you are doing 4 sets of -2.  

Step 2:  You then combine the chips together into one, and that's your answer.

Division of Integers

-8 / 2 = ?

Step 1:  In division, you first need to put the first number of chips into the circle.

Step 2:  Then divide that number by your second number so there is an equal amount of chips into each circle.  

Step 3:  How much chips is in each circle is your answer.  In this case the answer is 4.