Subtracting with Integer Tiles

Question

Explore subtracting two positive integers: 8 - 2
* Bring out a group of 8 positive integer tiles.
* Take 2 positive tiles away.

8 - 2 =_

Explore subtracting two negative integers: -5 - (-3)
* Bring out a group of 5 negative integer tiles.
* Take 3 negative tiles away.

-5 - (-3) = _

Answer 1

Let's explore both of these subtraction scenarios using integer tiles.

Subtracting Positive Integers: 8 - 2

1. Bring out a group of 8 positive integer tiles.

   • Imagine you have 8 tiles like this: 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

2. Take 2 positive tiles away.

   • Remove 2 tiles from the group: 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

3. Count the remaining tiles.

   • You are left with 6 positive tiles.

Thus, \[ 8 - 2 = 6 \]

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Subtracting Negative Integers: -5 - (-3)

1. Bring out a group of 5 negative integer tiles.

   • Imagine you have 5 negative tiles like this: 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥

2. Take 3 negative tiles away.

   • Since you are removing negative tiles (which can be thought of as 'adding' positive), you will take away 3 of the negative tiles. This means we will be left with 2 negative tiles: 🟥🟥

3. Count the remaining tiles.

   • You are left with 2 negative tiles.

Thus, \[ -5 - (-3) = -2 \]

In conclusion:

• \( 8 - 2 = 6 \)
• \( -5 - (-3) = -2 \)