Subtracting Integers With Counters

Visualize integer subtraction by using counters in this helpful worksheet! To start, seventh graders will review three steps to showing integer subtraction using counters. Then, learners must solve seven integer subtraction problems by following the same strategy. Students will draw counters to represent the minuend, adding zero pairs as necessary, then cross out the counters indicated by the subtrahend to find the answer.

By modeling these equations with counters, learners can better understand what it means to subtract negative and positive numbers. Remembering the rules surrounding negative numbers can be difficult, but this strategy will help students visualize each equation. As students become more confident with integer subtraction, they can prepare for multiplication and division with integers.

For more practice with integers, try Integer Subtraction: Matching Differences or Adding Integers With Counters.