The problem presents a subtraction equation involving negative numbers and asks us to complete it. The equation is $-3 - (-1) = ?$ The integer chips are used to model this subtraction. We start with 3 negative chips (representing -3). Then, we take away 1 negative chip (subtracting -1).

1. Problem Description

The problem presents a subtraction equation involving negative numbers and asks us to complete it. The equation is $-3 - (-1) = ?$ The integer chips are used to model this subtraction. We start with 3 negative chips (representing -3). Then, we take away 1 negative chip (subtracting -1).

2. Solution Steps

We are given the subtraction problem $-3 - (-1)$.

Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive counterpart. Therefore, $-3 - (-1)$ is equivalent to $-3 + 1$.

To calculate $-3 + 1$, we can think of it as starting at -3 on the number line and moving 1 unit to the right. This lands us at -

2. Alternatively, we can consider having 3 negative chips and adding 1 positive chip. The positive and negative chip would cancel each other, leaving us with 2 negative chips, representing -

2.

3. Final Answer

-2