_____________________________________________

Operations With Integers

-4
_________________ Middle Grades Mathematics Methods

-8

MinusWhat does it mean?

In algebra, the minus sign can mean three things.

In front of a number, the minus sign means negative. In front of any expression, the minus sign means the opposite of. Between two expressions, the minus sign means subtract or take away.

Adding Integers
Teaching the Idea:
Integers are positive and negative whole numbers and zero. _________________________________________ When you add opposites, such as 3 and -3, the result is 0.

Adding Integers
Teaching the Idea:
Integers are positive and negative whole numbers and zero. _________________________________________ When you add opposites, such as 3 and -3, the result is 0.

Three zero pairs. No counters are left, so the result is 0.

Example Problems:
To model addition of integers, put on the first number, put on the second number, cancel what you can, and then count.
1. -10 + (-3) = 1. -8 + 9 = 1. 4 + (-7) = 1. -12 + (-6) =

1. 4 + 3 =
1. -5 + 2 =

What patterns do you notice?

Subtracting Integers
To model subtraction, put on the first number, take off the second number, and count. -2 - 5
(Sometimes there are not enough blocks to take off, so zero may be added until there are enough counters to remove.)
Negative 2 put on, not enough to take five, so add five zero pairs, and then take five, count what is left.

Subtracting Integers
To model subtraction, put on the first number, take off the second number, and count. -2 - 5
(Sometimes there are not enough blocks to take off, so zero may be added until there are enough counters to remove.)
Negative seven left

Subtraction Examples:
Put on, add zero as needed, take off, count.
1. -10 - 3 = 1. 6 - 9 =

1. 4 - (-7) =
1. -12 (-6) = 1. 7 - 3 = 1. -5 - 2 =

What patterns do you notice?

Multiplication of Integers
Consider the four cases:

3(2)
3 sets of two is 6

3(-2)
3 sets of negative two is -6

-3(2)
Opposite of 3 sets of two is -6

-3(-2)

Opposite of 3 sets of negative two is 6

MinusWhat does it mean?

In algebra, the minus sign can mean three things.

In front of a number, the minus sign means negative. In front of any expression, the minus sign means the opposite of. Between two expressions, the minus sign means subtract or take away.

Division of Integers
Recall there are four ways to write a division expression.

Relate division of integers to multiplication: For example: 12/3

What times 3 equals 12?