Subtracting Integers Using Counters

This lesson teaches how to represent integer subtraction using counters. It covers subtracting negative integers, using zero pairs to handle cases where more counters are needed, and subtracting positive integers. The concept of zero pairs, which are groups of one positive and one negative counter, is introduced to facilitate subtraction without changing the value of the original number. The lesson concludes with a summary of these techniques.

How do we represent the subtraction of negative 3 minus negative 2 using counters?

Explain the process of subtracting negative 3 minus negative 5 using zero pairs.

What is the identity property of addition and how does it apply to adding zero pairs?

What happens when we subtract negative 4 minus positive 5?

Summarize how to represent the subtraction of integers using counters.