a) 5 + 11= 16

b) -5 + (-11) = -16

c) -5 – (-11) = 6

d) 5 – 11 = -6

e) 5 – (-11) = 16

f) -5 – 11 = -16

g) -5 + 11 = 6

A) and E), B) and F), C) and G) are equivalent.  These equations have the same answers because even they were different to begin with, the zero pairs were added which made the answers the same.

This activity helped me further understand the steps on how to find the answer for an integer.

Students need to know that using a visual way of figuring out integers can help you better understand them.