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Is there a way to area model negative numbers?
Posted:
Feb 2, 2005 6:12 PM
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If this is not the correct forum for this, please let me know.
I am building a math worksheet generator. I am currently working on
worksheets to practice comparing fractions. I want to provide an option
to show area models of the two fractions. I also want to provide an
option to include problems with negative numbers.
Area models are easy. If the student is comparing 1/4 to 1/3, I can draw
two same-size rectangles side by side. One is divided into 1/4s with 1/4
shaded. The other is divided into 1/3s with 1/3 shaded. The student can
see that the 1/3 shaded area is larger than the 1/4 shaded area.
Is there a similar way to model the comparison when both fractions are
negative? I could use the same models to show that 1/3 is more negative
than 1/4, but I don't think that is intuitive.
Number lines are an option. What other options are there?
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