Four Pan Algebra Balance

Algebra and Negative Integer Fun!

This balance is intended to help visualize the use of negative integers or that negative one is less than zero. Weights placed on the outer pans represent negative integers, weights placed on the inner pans represent positive integers, which makes it possible to visualize an equation like: (-1)+(+1)=0+0 where the = sign is the tower..

The full scale version has a 10" Top Beam, however I do not have access to a Makerbot so the printed version is half scale at this time, which is really small on a low-res reprap. Hopefully I can print a full scale version in color some time in the future (The district I teach in doesn't have a 3D printer, however a district we mentored in FRC last year may be getting a Replicator 2). I didn't add plastic chips since I intended to use pennies as number weights.

This balance is meant to be easily sliced and printed, and there is also a dwg vector file for a laser cut version in the future. I had designed it to