Integers are whole numbers and their opposites and zero. Here you can learn how to add and subtract integers.
Step by step guide to add and subtract integers
- Integers include: zero, counting numbers, and the negative of the counting numbers. \(\{… , – \ 3, – \ 2, – \ 1, 0, 1, 2, 3 , …\} \)
- Add a positive integer by moving to the right on the number line.
- Add a negative integer by moving to the left on the number line.
- Subtract an integer by adding its opposite.
Example 1:
Solve. \( (- \ 2) \ – \ (- \ 6)=\)
Solution:
Keep the first number, and convert the sign of the second number to it’s opposite. (change subtraction into addition. Then: \((- \ 2) \ \color{blue}{+} \ 6=4\)
Example 2:
Solve. \( 8 \ + \ (12 \ – \ 20)=\)
Solution:
First subtract the numbers in brackets, \(12 \ – \ 20= \ – \ 8\)
Then: \(8 \ + \ (- \ 8)= \ → \) change addition into subtraction: \(8 \ \color{blue}{-} \ 8=0\)
Example 3:
Solve. \((-8)-(-5)=\)
Solution:
Keep the first number and convert the sign of the second number to it’s opposite. (change subtraction into addition. Then: \((-8)+5= \ -3\)
Example 4:
Solve. \(10+(4-8)=\)
Solution:
First subtract the numbers in brackets, \(4-8= \ -4\)
Then: \(10+(-4)= →\) change addition into subtraction: \(10-4=6\)
Exercises
Find the sum and the difference.
- \(\color{blue}{(– 12) + (– 4)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{5 + (– 24)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{4 + (– 30) + (45 – 34)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{( – 14) – (– 9) – (18)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{( – 9) – (– 25)}\)
- \(\color{blue}{(55) – (– 5) + (– 4)}\)
Download Adding and Subtracting Integers Worksheet
- \(\color{blue}{-16}\)
- \(\color{blue}{-19}\)
- \(\color{blue}{-15}\)
- \(\color{blue}{-23}\)
- \(\color{blue}{16}\)
- \(\color{blue}{56}\)
