How to Add and Subtract Integers

by Reza about 2 years ago in Articles

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.

Adding and Subtracting Integers – 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: \((- \ 2) \ \color{blue}{+} \ 6=4\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – Example 2:

Solve. \( 8 \ + \ (12 \ – \ 20)=\)

Solution:

First subtract the numbers in brackets, \(12 \ – \ 20= \ – \ 8\)
Then: \(8 \ + \ (- \ 8)= \ → \) change addition into subtraction: \(8 \ \color{blue}{-} \ 8=0\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – 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: \((-8)+5= \ -3\)

Adding and Subtracting Integers – 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 for Adding and Subtracting Integers –

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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is answer-3.png

\(\color{blue}{-16}\)
\(\color{blue}{-19}\)
\(\color{blue}{-15}\)
\(\color{blue}{-23}\)
\(\color{blue}{16}\)
\(\color{blue}{56}\)