Educational aid for teaching mathematics

An educational apparatus, comprising:

• a Roberval-style balance, comprising:
• an indicator for providing feedback to a user, with which the user determines whether they have created an equality or inequality and whether an adjustment is needed, wherein said indicator comprises a pointer having clearly marked inequalities, wherein users connect mathematical statements easily and accurately with a correct inequality symbol, and wherein said indicator provides users with a physical representation of basic math operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as fractions, negative numbers, and algebraic equations;
• sliding adjusters for zeroing the balance on an uneven surface or when masses in a provided equation are slightly unequal;
• left and right removable pans for efficient storage;
• a rear counterweight suspended below a top balance arm as a counterbalance offset to increase responsiveness and accuracy of balance;
• a plurality of constant cubes comprising several different sets of unit weight;
• a plurality of cubes or objects labeled with colored symbols, in a variety of weights and quantities;
• a plurality of opposite chips comprising small cards labeled with negative signs and of negligible mass so they do not disrupt the balance;
• and
• a plurality of line chips comprising small cards of negligible mass labeled with “x” and “y” to allow users to explore linear and simple quadratic relationships;
• wherein combinations of said constant cubes, cubes or objects labeled with colored symbols, opposite chips, and line chips are arranged on said removable pans to teach mathematical functions.