Mini Number Balance

Description

This mini balance provides hands-on instruction in addition and subtraction, and could even be used for equations involving multiplication/division. For addition and subtraction concepts, you can begin by hanging the blue weights in various yellow-peg positions on one side, and balancing the sum on the other side. So, for example, if you hang a blue weight in the 10-position on one side, you can create balance by hanging a blue weight in the 6- and 4-position on the other side (6 + 4 = 10). Students can think through and try all the possible combinations that could work, not limiting themselves to only two weights on the one side. That will keep them busy for a while, and you may want to have them write down their answers in logical order to make sure they haven’t overlooked any possibilities. Subtraction follows, as students try to determine where the missing blue weight should go (10 4 = ?). Multiplication occurs when multiple weights occupy a certain peg (2 weights at the 2 position is 2 2 = 4, so one weight in the 4-position on the other side creates a balanced equation). Your equations can get even more complicated: what if you have a 3 and a 4 on one side and three 2’s on the other? What do you need to add to make it balance, and where? The scale is not super precise in its ability to be perfectly calibrated, but little plastic weights are provided so that the calibrated accuracy will be sufficient for your purposes. ~ Caryl