Sign Savvy Division Worksheet
Integer Operations • Scaffolded Practice
Sign Savvy Division Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Step 1 Rule: "Are both signs the SAME?"
Always check signs before dividing!
✓ YES → Both are + or both are − \((-) \div (-) = \mathbf{+}\) | \((+) \div (+) = \mathbf{+}\)
(+) POSITIVE
✗ NO → One is + and one is − \((-) \div (+) = \mathbf{−}\) | \((+) \div (-) = \mathbf{−}\)
(−) NEGATIVE
Worked Example Solve: \(-12 \div 3\)
Follow these 3 easy steps
1. Are signs the same?
One (−), one (+)
→ NO = Negative (−)
2. Divide numbers
Divide absolute values:
\(12 \div 3 = 4\)
3. Final Answer \(-4\)
Practice Problems • 6 Scaffolded Items
1 Solve: \(-8 \div (-2)\) Both are negative (−)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(8 \div 2 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
2 Solve: \(-15 \div 3\) One (−), one (+)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(15 \div 3 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
3 Solve: \(20 \div (-4)\) One (+), one (−)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(20 \div 4 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
4 Solve: \(-18 \div (-6)\) Both are negative (−)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(18 \div 6 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
5 Solve: \(-24 \div 4\) One (−), one (+)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(24 \div 4 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
6 Solve: \(-30 \div (-5)\) Both are negative (−)
Step 1: Signs same?
YES (+) NO (−)
Step 2: Divide
\(30 \div 5 =\)
Step 3: Final Answer
Self Check:
⚪ I need help ⚪ Almost got it ⚪ I got this!
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Teacher Resource • Answer Key
Model Solutions & Scoring Guide
Resource Key Sign Savvy Division
Quick Response Reference (6 Problems)
Problem 1: \(-8 \div (-2)\) \(+4\) (Signs Same = YES → +)
Problem 2: \(-15 \div 3\) \(-5\) (Signs Same = NO → −)
Problem 3: \(20 \div (-4)\) \(-5\) (Signs Same = NO → −)
Problem 4: \(-18 \div (-6)\) \(+3\) (Signs Same = YES → +)
Problem 5: \(-24 \div 4\) \(-6\) (Signs Same = NO → −)
Problem 6: \(-30 \div (-5)\) \(+6\) (Signs Same = YES → +)
Step-by-Step Model Breakdowns
Problem 1: \(-8 \div (-2)\) YES → (+)
Signs: Both negative (Same → +).
Math: \(8 \div 2 = 4\). | Answer: +4.
Problem 2: \(-15 \div 3\) NO → (−)
Signs: One (−), one (+) (Diff → −).
Math: \(15 \div 3 = 5\). | Answer: -5.
Problem 3: \(20 \div (-4)\) NO → (−)
Signs: One (+), one (−) (Diff → −).
Math: \(20 \div 4 = 5\). | Answer: -5.
Problem 4: \(-18 \div (-6)\) YES → (+)
Signs: Both negative (Same → +).
Math: \(18 \div 6 = 3\). | Answer: +3.
Problem 5: \(-24 \div 4\) NO → (−)
Signs: One (−), one (+) (Diff → −).
Math: \(24 \div 4 = 6\). | Answer: -6.
Problem 6: \(-30 \div (-5)\) YES → (+)
Signs: Both negative (Same → +).
Math: \(30 \div 5 = 6\). | Answer: +6.
IEP Scaffolding Strategies & Low-Floor Access
Predictable 3-Step Routine
Expanding to 6 problems gives students repeated practice with an unvarying 3-step routine (check signs → divide numbers → write answer), cementing procedural fluency without cognitive fatigue.
Equal Sign-Distribution
The 6 problems are evenly split (3 yielding positive results, 3 yielding negative results) to prevent students from defaulting to an automatic negative assumption.
Integer Operations Unit • IEP Modified Scaffolded Edition Page 2 of 2
