Question

Evaluate the value of $(-4-1)$ using chip model.

• A. $-3$
• B. $-5$
• C. $5$
• D. $3$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $-5$

We would use chip model method to evaluate the value of $(-4-1)$.

$(-4-1)$ can be written as $(-4)+(-1)$, which can be visualised as adding $-1$ to $-4$.

Let's consider a yellow circle as negative integer $‘‘-1"$.


To find the value of $-4-1=(-4)+(-1)$, we need to add $4$ yellow circles to $1$ yellow circle, which can be illustrated as


In the above diagram, after adding $4$ yellow circles to $1$ yellow circle, we get $5$ yellow circles, which is equivalent to $-5$ (as each yellow circle represents $‘‘-1"$).

$\therefore$ The value of $(-4-1)$ would be equal to $-5$, i.e., (b.) is the correct option.