Here is my question: Use counters to model the difference -2-5. Here is my answer: <-- -5-- -4 -- -3 -- -2-- -1-- 0---1--2--3--4--5---> Start at -2 and count backwards 5 points and it will = -3. Is this correct? Thanks.

No.

If you start at -2 and go backwards 5 points, you won't end up at -3. Please try again.

I meant to say -7. Is this correct? Thanks.

Yes. You'd end up at -7.

To model the difference -2 - (-5) using counters, you can follow these steps:

1. Start with a number line that includes the range from -5 to 2. Let's represent this range with counters.
<-- -5 -- -4 -- -3 -- -2 -- -1 -- 0 -- 1 -- 2 -->

2. Since the operation is subtraction, we need to start at -2 and move backward by the value of -5. The value of -5 represents moving to the left on the number line by 5 positions.

Start at -2: <-- -5 -- -4 -- -3 -- -2 -- -1 -- 0 -- 1 -- 2 -->
Move backward by 5 positions: <-- -5 -- -4 -- -3 -- -2 -- -1 --> (-3 is the final position)

So, according to this modeling, the difference -2 - (-5) is equal to -3, which matches your answer. Therefore, your answer is correct.