Name
Date
KEY - USING GAME CHIPS TO EXPLORE ADDING INTEGERS
Objective:
to use game chips to add integers.
to be able to state the rules for adding integers
to apply the rules for adding integers without using game chips.
Directions:
1. Read the instructions explaining what the red and yellow chips represent.
2. Get you chip board and chips.
3. Complete the example question along with the teacher.
Introduction: Number & Operations: Example Problem “3 + – 5”
4. On your chip board place 3 positive chips on the positive side (yellow chips).
5. On your chip board place 5 negative chips on the negative side (red chips).
6. Simplify by combining one red chip and one yellow chip and dragging them off the chip board. This works,
because a negative number, added to its opposite, equals zero.
7. How many chips are left on the board and what color?
8. So, what is your answer?
9. Try this one: Use “-2” and “-5” as addends. Solve using the game chips: -2 + -5 =
10. Solve the following problems using the game chips. Then write the corresponding rule.
-2 + -4 = -6
-1 + -3 = -4
-2 + -2 = -4
-6 + -1 = -7
-1 + -1 = -2
1+2= 3
-1 + -4 = -5
4+2= 6
11. Rule #1: When adding integers with the same sign: Combine the chips for
each addend; sum the total number of chips; the sign is the same for all chips, so
you keep the sign.
12. Solve the following problems using the game chips. Then write the corresponding rule.
-2 + (+3) = 1
-2 + (+2) = 0
4 + (-7) = -3
2 + (-6) = -4
-1 + (+1) = 0
-1 + (+2) =1
-1 + (+4) = 3
2 + (-3) = -1
13. Rule #2: When adding integers with different signs:After you combine every
negative chip and positive chip to equal zero that you can, count how many chips are
left over and use their common sign.
Application: Add the numbers. State the Rule that you applied. No calculators!! Show work.
1) -13 + (-17) = -30
… Rule # 1
3) 8 + (-10) = -2…
Rule # 2
5) -142 + (-90) = -232 …Rule # 1
2) 73 + (-91) = -18 … Rule # 2
4) -1 + 2 = 1…
Rule # 2
6) 95 + (-100) = -5 … Rule # 2
Name
Date
KEY - USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE ADDING INTEGERS
Objective:
to use an online applet to add integers.
to be able to state the rules for adding integers
to apply the rules for adding integers without using the applet.
Directions:
1. Enter nlvm.usu.edu in the search line.
2. The home page for the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives should display
3. Click on the box in the matrix where “3 – 5” meets Number & Operations.
4. Scroll down and choose “Color Chips – Addition”.
5. Consider the problem that appears. Follow the prompts to represent this addition problem
using the virtual color chips. Red is negative, and black is positive.
6. Simplify by dragging negative chips onto positive chips. This works, because a negative
number, added to its opposite, equals zero.
7. Type your answer into the box and check your answer.
8. At the bottom of the box, click “User”.
9. Type in the number “-2” and “-5” as addends. Solve using the applet: -2 + -5 =
10. Solve the following problems using the applet. Then write the corresponding rule.
-2 + -4 = -6
-1 + -3 = -4
-1 + -1 = -2
1+2= 3
-2 + -2 = -4
-1 + -4 = -5
-6 + -1 = -7
4+2= 6
11. Rule #1: When adding integers with the same sign: Combine the chips for each
addend; sum the total number of chips; the sign is the same for all chips, so you keep
the sign.
12. Solve the following problems using the applet. Then write the corresponding rule.
-2 + (+3)= 1
-2 + (+2) = 0
4 + (-7) = -3
2 + (-6) = -4
-1 + (+1)= 0
-1 + (+2) = 1
-1 + (+4) = 3
2 + (-3) = -1
13. Rule #2: When adding two integers with different signs: After you combine every
negative chip and positive chip to equal zero that you can, how many chips are left over
and what is their common sign?
Application: Add the numbers. State the Rule that you applied. No calculators!! Show work.
… Rule # 1
1) -13 + (-17) =-30
3) 8 + (-10) = -2
… Rule # 2
5) -142 + (-90) = -232
… Rule # 1
2) 73 + (-91) = -18
4) -1 + 2 = 1
6) 95 + (-100) -5
… Rule # 2
… Rule # 2
… Rule # 2